The lecturers' strike has disrupted learning in all 35 public universities and two constituent colleges for 23 consecutive days.
Although the government initially pledged Ksh.4.3 billion to address the dispute—a figure that the lecturers had agreed to—University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga later reversed his stance.
Wasonga stated that the strike would persist until the government provides clarity on how it plans to pay the remaining Ksh.5.4 billion required to fulfill the total Ksh.9.7 billion outlined in the return-to-work formula.
“The government must commit to paying the balance. Until then, the strike continues,” Wasonga insisted.
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This reversal has prolonged the stalemate, intensifying frustration among students and parents who are calling for an urgent resolution.
“We just want to go back to class. This has gone on for too long,” lamented one university student.
Efforts to mediate the dispute have so far stalled, with an inter-ministerial committee meeting scheduled for Thursday afternoon failing to proceed.
Pressure continues to mount on both the government and UASU to find a lasting solution to end the nationwide strike.
