The strike by lecturers in public universities has now entered its third week, leaving lecture halls silent and students across campuses uncertain of their future. Many fear they may soon exhaust the upkeep money provided by the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) if the standoff continues.
Across institutions, lecture halls remain locked, corridors deserted, and students are either confined to their hostels or wandering. While libraries and cafeterias are still open, meaningful learning has been disrupted. At the University of Nairobi (UoN), only the library and the student mess operate.
“I spend my time on TikTok and other social media pages since there’s nothing else to do. Travelling back to my village in Migori is out of the question due to transport expenses,” lamented a journalism student, adding that many of her classmates had already left campus.
What are the lecturers demanding from the government?
The strike began on September 17, 2025, after the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) issued a seven-day strike notice. Lecturers accuse the government of failing to honour collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and demand Sh7.9 billion outstanding from the 2017–2021 CBA, along with talks on the 2025–2029 CBA.
Although the government released Sh2.73 billion for Phase Two of the 2021–2025 CBA, the stalemate continues. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba maintains that negotiations are ongoing.
“Some universities are still not teaching, but most of them are teaching even as we negotiate to resolve the outstanding issues,” he said during the opening of new hostels at PC Kinyanjui Technical Training Institute in Nairobi.
How are students coping with the prolonged strike?
A visit to the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) revealed deserted grounds, with only a few students moving between the library and hostels. “I check the news and socials daily to see if the strike has been called off, then go back to idling in my rented abode while still spending on food and data,” said a second-year Bachelor of Technology Survey student, whose single mother is already struggling to cover his tuition and rent.
First-year students have been hit particularly hard, while others at Kenyatta University and Egerton University voiced fears of compressed academic calendars. “Can the government and lecturers reach a truce so we end this suffering? I fear a crash programme, which only works to students’ disadvantage,” said a statistics student at Kenyatta University.
Last week, lecturers and staff from 42 universities staged a peaceful procession from UoN graduation square to Parliament, the Treasury, and the Ministry of Education. Chanting and carrying placards, they vowed not to resume work until all demands are met.
Uasu Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga reaffirmed their position, insisting on full compliance with a court ruling on the 2017–2021 CBA. “You must pay us Sh7.9 billion. You have the judgment with you, you have the advisory opinion from the Attorney-General that was dated to your office on 10th April 2025. Kindly honour that one first,” he declared.
By Yockshard Enyendi
