The end of the 49-day industrial action means that learning, which has been completely paralysed in all public universities since September, is now set to resume, bringing immense relief to thousands whose academic progress was in jeopardy.
The major breakthrough came after the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), along with other university staff unions, finally reached a binding agreement with the government.
The crucial deal was signed on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, marking the end of a long and often tense standoff that has kept students at home for nearly two months.
The signed agreement centres on the government’s firm commitment to pay a total of Sh7.8 billion in outstanding salary arrears. This payment is for the long-disputed 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
In a significant compromise to end the strike, the union has agreed to receive this money in a two-phase payment plan.
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga confirmed the details of the much-anticipated payment schedule.
He announced that the first tranche of the money is set to be released to the university staff in the current month of November 2025.
The second and final payment will then be disbursed eight months from now, in July of 2026.
This final deal was the result of weeks of intense, behind-the-scenes negotiations, which included crucial mediation from the National Assembly's Committee on Education.
The union had previously maintained a very firm position, demanding the full amount be paid in a single lump sum, but eventually softened its stance for the sake of the students.
All public universities are now expected to immediately begin the process of resuming their normal operations following this announcement.
According to the union leaders, all lecturers and university staff will now work closely with their respective university administrations to come up with workable plans to fully recover the teaching and learning time that was lost.
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Education