Kirinyaga University Lecturers Strike Over Unpaid Wages

Lecturers at Kirinyaga University stopped work on Wednesday, marking the start of a nationwide strike that could paralyze operations at 41 public universities across the country.

The lecturers, represented by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), are demanding that the government disburse 2.7 billion Kenyan shillings to fulfil the second phase of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in November 2024.

They say the 2021–2025 CBA, valued at Ksh9.7 billion, was to be rolled out in three phases, but only the first tranche was released in January.

Lucas Macharia, UASU’s Kirinyaga County chairperson, accused the government of offering “promissory notes” instead of real funds. “Lecturers can’t live on promises,” he said, stressing that the second payment, due in July, is still unpaid. “We’ve been patient, but we won’t stop until the arrears are paid.”

On Tuesday, the National Treasury said it had released Ksh2.5 billion to cover part of the arrears and urged the union to end the strike. However, UASU leaders rejected this, demanding full payment.

Robert Gitau, the union’s branch secretary general, criticised the government for delaying the 2021-2025 CBA, which expired in June without a new offer. He also pointed out unpaid arrears of Ksh8.8 billion from the 2017-2021 CBA, which was only partially implemented.

“This strike is the only way to make the government listen,” Gitau said.

On his part, Stephen Kahungura, the university’s staff union secretary general, added: “Billions are wasted elsewhere in government. The Treasury has the funds, and we won’t work for free.”

The impact is immediate, with classes at Kirinyaga University, which has over 5,000 students in courses from business to engineering, halted just weeks into the new term.

Similar disruptions are expected to soon affect universities like the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University, potentially delaying exams and graduations for thousands.

The Education Ministry has yet to comment, but pressure is mounting on the government to address the funding crisis in higher education and avert further disruption.

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