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Public university lecturers hold protest march in Nairobi CBD
Public university lecturers and staff hold peaceful demonstration in the Nairobi CBD on September 24, 2025, to demand salary arrears of Sh7.9bn and a new CBA.
Public university lecturers held a peaceful protest march in the Nairobi CBD on Wednesday. At the end of the march, they petitioned Parliament, the National Treasury and the Ministry of Education over Sh7.7 billion in salary arrears and the commencement of talks on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) strike entered Day 7 as lecturers marched from the University of Nairobi (UoN) graduation square through the streets to present their petition to government offices.
Public university lecturers and staff hold peaceful demonstration in the Nairobi CBD on September 24, 2025, to demand salary arrears of Sh7.9bn and a new CBA.
Armed with placards and vuvuzelas, lecturers from 42 public universities sang, danced, and chanted, vowing not to resume duty until their dues are fully settled.
“If you want to shorten the strike, pay the way you paid the Sh2.7 billion last week. Until we get the bank alert (that the account has been credited), prepare for a long strike,” said Uasu Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wasonga.
Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) Secretary-General Charles Mukwaya (left) briefs media before lecturers and staff took part in a peaceful demonstration in the Nairobi CBD on September 24, 2025. With him is University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wasonga.
The dons are pushing for the settlement of Sh7.9 billion outstanding from the 2017–2021 CBA and the start of negotiations on the 2025–2029 CBA.
Last week, the government released Sh2.73 billion for Phase Two of the 2021–2025 CBA, which was due in July, trimming the dons’ demands from three to two.
Education Cabinet secretary Julius Ogamba on Tuesday directed the lecturers to immediately resume duty or face disciplinary action.
“If you think you can threaten us, let it be known that we are battle-hardened generals. If you sympathise with students as we also do, pay us our Sh7.9 billion and also jumpstart negotiations for 2025-29 CBA and this matter will end,” said Dr Wasonga.
