Moi University lecturers vow to escalate strike over unresolved pay dispute
By K24 Digital Reporter, October 23, 2025Moi University lecturers have warned the government that they will escalate their ongoing strike to street demonstrations if the government fails to address their grievances.
The lecturers, led by Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary Busolo Wegesa, accused the government of dragging behind in resolving their concerns, saying all university operations had been brought to a standstill.
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Speaking to members of the fourth estate on Thursday, October 23, 2025, in Eldoret town, Busolo announced that the prolonged industrial action has severely affected students, yet the Ministry of Education appeared indifferent to the crisis.
Nationally, UASU members are demanding payment of Ksh7.9 billion in arrears from unfulfilled Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). According to Moi University UASU branch chairman Richard Okero, the dons are also insisting that negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA be concluded before they resume work.
“This time, we have said we must clear every pending issue with the government before we go back to class. We do not want to strike again after this,” Okero stated.
Clash with students
At the time, he faulted the university management for directing students to resume lessons, saying only the union had the authority to suspend or call off the strike.
“The students should only listen to what the union says because university managements have no mandate to end the strike,” Okero added.
Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) representative Mary Chepkwemoi echoed the sentiments, saying lecturers would remain on strike until all their demands were met.
Busolo announced that lecturers were preparing to take to the streets in peaceful protests to push the government into action. He said the strike, now in its fifth week, would continue until the government honours agreements signed for the 2017–2020 and 2021–2025 periods.
“We are only asking for what rightfully belongs to us. Lecturers have become the most mistreated public servants, yet we too have families and responsibilities,” Busolo lamented.
He added that many lecturers were retiring or dying without receiving their pensions and benefits.
“The only thing we know how to do is teach, but now we’ve learned how to strike, and we’re striking hard until our rights are respected,” he said.