University lecturers have reportedly reached a KSh20 billion salary and allowances deal with the government under the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), raising hopes of an end to the strike that has disrupted learning in public universities.
Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga announced the breakthrough after weeks of negotiations over lecturers’ remuneration and working conditions. The agreement followed talks involving Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and a separate meeting at State House. Technical teams are expected to document the agreement, with formalisation still pending.
“Today we have agreed on a figure we have negotiated with the government. Not a figure imposed on the union,” Wasonga said.
The reported KSh20 billion package covers basic salaries and allowances, marking an increase from previous government proposals that the unions rejected as inadequate.
“We have a deal worth Sh20bn for the 2025-2029 CBA from Sh3.1 billion, Sh9.76 billion, Sh11.95 billion! The Sh20 billion is for basic salary and allowances!” Wasonga said in a message to lecturers.
How much were lecturers demanding?
The breakthrough comes after the government presented a KSh11.96 billion counteroffer on October 26, which unions rejected. The latest figure is about KSh8.04 billion higher, representing an increase of approximately 67%.
UASU had sought KSh98 billion for the four-year agreement, arguing that earlier proposals did not adequately address salary adjustments and allowances. The reported KSh20 billion deal is substantially below that demand, although the figures may cover different costs and should not be treated as directly comparable without further clarification.
The union had proposed basic salary increases ranging from 36% to 68%, depending on staff grade, alongside a 57% rise in house allowances. Other demands included higher commuter and professorial allowances, annual book allowances and improved leave benefits.
University employers had proposed a cumulative salary adjustment of 8.25% over four years, based on annual increases of 2%. An alternative proposal involving annual increases of 3% would have delivered a cumulative adjustment of 12.56%.
The reported agreement could pave the way for a resolution to the industrial action involving UASU, the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and other university staff representatives.
