University lecturers and non-teaching staff from various institutions across Kenya have embarked on a nationwide strike today, September 18, 2024. The strike, organized by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), aims to push salary adjustments and improve working conditions.

Lecturers and staff from several universities have joined the protest.

The strike follows failed negotiations over the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with university staff demanding salary increases, improved medical coverage, better working conditions, and fair promotions. According to UASU branch secretary Phillip Chebunet, staff will continue to disrupt learning until their demands are met.

“The government’s new funding model is not working, and we will not allow our universities to suffer from poor policies,” said Chebunet, highlighting the need for Vice Chancellors to allocate funds for workers’ salaries.

As the strike continues, university staff remain open to talks with the government, but no resolution has been reached yet. The strike has already paralyzed learning at multiple universities across the country.