Lecturers in public universities — whose absence from lecture halls had grounded learning for nearly two months — will finally return to work.
But before the agreement could be reached, a series of tense, high-stakes negotiations played out behind closed doors across Nairobi.
In boardrooms, government chambers and university offices, negotiators huddled together — their conversations a mix of urgency, frustration, ego and cautious optimism — as they wrestled with lecturers’ demands, financial constraints and the need to save the academic calendar.
The strike, which began on September 17, 2025, had paralysed the academic calendar for more than 600,000 students.
Sources close to the talks reveal that the breakthrough came after “gruelling, back-to-back meetings” that often stretched late into the night. However, the Nation can also reveal that it took a nudge and pleading from the Presidency to unlock the stalemate.
Universities Academic Staff Union Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba address journalists during a press conference at Jogoo House, Nairobi, on November 5, 2025, where the lecturers' unions signed a return-to-work formula with the government to end the 49-day strike.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation
Delegates from the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury, university councils and representatives of the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (Kusu) were present.
In a statement following the agreement, Uasu Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wasonga expressed heartfelt gratitude to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki , whose personal intervention helped break the deadlock.
“I want to particularly thank the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, who mediated and managed to offer us 50-50. I also want to thank Parliament — and particularly the National Education Committee of the National Assembly — for bridging the gap between us and other stakeholders,” Dr Wasonga said.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The strike was officially called off after securing a firm commitment from the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury and university councils to release Sh7.9 billion for staff in public universities. Speaking after the agreement, Dr Wasonga confirmed that Sh3.8 billion would be disbursed in November 2025, with additional allocations scheduled for December.
The union leader revealed that the decisive agreement followed an intense late-night meeting on 4 November 2025, which came after previous consultative meetings in Machakos had yielded no results — leaving many members frustrated and disillusioned.
“Leo nitala (Today I will sleep),” Dr Wasonga remarked, signalling relief that a breakthrough had finally been achieved.
“I’m really tired. I’m travelling out of Nairobi immediately. I need to take time away from work,” he later told Nation.
Vice chancellors of public universities had also convened last week, initially threatening the striking lecturers that their salaries would not be released even after signing the return-to-work agreements — sparking uproar among staff.
Dr Wasonga noted that delays in accessing funds had contributed to the strike, and said the new commitment now ensures that salaries and welfare provisions under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will be fully honoured. He acknowledged the patience of union members and apologised for the disruption caused.
Education CS Julius Ogamba (centre) with union officials from Uasu, Kusu and Kudheiha on September 5, 2025, when the university workers called off their 49-day strike.
Photo credit: Mercy Simiyu | Nation
“To comrades (students), I know you have suffered, and I want to apologise for the time lost,” he said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the Sh2.73 billion owed to lecturers under the 2021–2025 CBA had been paid even after the strike was declared.
However, tensions persisted over pending arrears and timelines for negotiating the new CBA.
A proposal by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to stagger the arrears into three instalments was rejected by the unions, prompting renewed talks and parliamentary intervention.
“We went back to the table because the three-instalment plan was not acceptable,” said Mr Ogamba.
Universities Academic Staff Union Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba during a press conference at Jogoo House, Nairobi, on November 5, 2025, where they signed a return-to-work formula to end the 49-day lecturers' strike.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation
“After constructive discussions, we agreed on a two-phase payment that would ease the burden while ensuring the lecturers are paid.”
The breakthrough was reached after meetings at Parliament, where both the ministry and union officials agreed to compromise to restore normalcy.
“It was time to put down the gun so that we can resolve this matter. The strike had disrupted learning and affected students for too long,” said Mr Ogamba.
Meanwhile, students and staff across the country will now prepare to return to campuses — carrying with them relief, hope and the heavy weight of time and resources lost.
