Striking lecturers warn students to expect longer university closures

Students across public universities have been urged to prepare for an extended break from lectures as the nationwide lecturers’ strike shows no signs of ending.

Speaking during a media press on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said the industrial action is necessary to secure long-overdue reforms in the higher education sector.

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“It is unfortunate that we are going to have a long strike. We love our students, but we are being forced to be out,” Wasonga stated. He stressed that the union’s fight is aimed at addressing structural problems that have plagued universities for years.

Earlier, while appearing before the Senate, Education CS Migos Ogamba outlined the reasons behind the lecturers’ strike.

The unionist criticised the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for attempting to dictate terms for negotiations.

“We are supposed to negotiate with our employer. What is SRC? SRC is supposed to give advice. But the way they are giving that advisory, it means they don’t allow workers to negotiate with their employer,” he said.

Wasonga expressed frustration over the government’s funding proposals, which he described as inadequate.

“Three billion for four years? For all unions? So one billion is for UASU, another billion is for KUSU, and another billion is for KUDHEIHA. And you want to call us to go and negotiate? Each and every worker is entitled to an automatic annual increment. That three billion is not even enough,” he added.

Also watch: UASU tells CS Ogamba to stop lecturing lecturers.

The UASU Secretary General appealed to students for patience, assuring them that the strike is ultimately for their benefit.

“Bear with us. We are fighting for you. We are cleaning the higher education sector. We shall not call a strike next year so that when we start next year, our students can have time to study,” he said.

Wasonga also highlighted persistent issues in the sector, including unpaid statutory deductions, missing pension schemes at several universities, and lack of medical cover for staff.

He recalled the 2003 strike, which secured a 116 per cent increment in basic salaries after nine months of industrial action, urging current members to remain committed despite meagre pay.

Looking ahead, Wasonga announced plans to devolve the strike to individual university chapters, intensifying the industrial action.

“We are going to devolve strikes. They are joking with us. When you see the body language of the Secretary General, he is ready for anything,” he said.