Lecturers from Dedan Kimathi University and members of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) have officially ended their strike after signing a return-to-work agreement on September 26, 2024.
This agreement was reached following discussions with an inter-ministerial committee.
The deal guarantees that no disciplinary actions will be taken against union members involved in the strike. Both parties have agreed to bear their own legal costs, fostering a collaborative atmosphere moving forward.
As part of the agreement, academic staff will receive salary increases, with a 7% rise for higher grades and a 10% rise for lower grades. This adjustment is aimed at addressing wage disparities among university staff.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) are tasked with finalizing the salary scales for the financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. These new scales are expected to come into effect in October 2024.
The strike lasted two weeks and significantly disrupted activities at public universities. It arose due to the government’s failure to implement the National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for 2021-2025.
Looking ahead, future negotiations will address several outstanding issues, including medical coverage for staff, harmonization of allowances, staffing needs, and budget allocations for promotions and loan schemes.
The agreement marks a crucial step towards resolving ongoing tensions between university staff and the government. Both parties are now focused on rebuilding trust and ensuring that commitments made are honored.
Overall, this resolution paves the way for improved working conditions and better support for academic staff in Kenya’s public universities.
Naema Tandao 
