Kenya University Strike: Lecturers Walk Out Nationwide Over Rejected CBA Offer

Lecturers and other staff at public universities across Kenya began a nationwide strike on Monday after their unions rejected a counter-offer from the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) over the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The strike, which affects all public universities, was called after negotiations between the unions and the IPUCCF failed to produce an acceptable agreement.

The unions had been pushing for a significant increase in salaries and allowances, citing the rising cost of living and the need to attract and retain talent in the higher education sector. The IPUCCF's counter-offer, which reportedly fell short of the unions' demands, was dismissed as inadequate. The strike is the latest in a series of labor disputes in Kenya's education sector, which has seen frequent disruptions in recent years.

The strike is expected to disrupt learning for thousands of students, particularly those in their final year who are preparing for examinations. University administrators have urged the government to intervene and resolve the impasse quickly. The government has yet to issue a formal statement, but officials have indicated that negotiations are ongoing. If the strike continues, it could have far-reaching implications for Kenya's higher education system and the country's reputation as a regional hub for academic excellence.