Learning in Kenya’s 39 public universities was paralysed when lecturers made good their threat to go on strike, accusing the government of failing to honour past and current Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

Speaking at Maseno University in Kisumu, where he announced the start of the nationwide strike on Wednesday, Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga said dons will not resume work until three demands are fully met: payment of Ksh2.73 billion ($21 million), settlement of Ksh8.8 billion ($68 million) arrears from the 2017-2021 CBA, and negotiation, registration and implementation of the 2025-2029 CBA.

“The reason we have launched this strike is because the government has failed to pay us Ksh2.73 billion ($21.097 million). The only thing I got yesterday was a letter. Dons do not eat letters,” Wasonga told a charged crowd of union members.

He said in January 2021, UASU won a case in court that directed the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury to provide funds for full implementation of the 2017-2021 CBA.

“Last night, I got a letter from SRC saying they were now going to meet. That is good. They can meet while we are on the streets. But let us be clear: this strike will not end unless our three demands are met in total,” he declared.

Wasonga accused IPUCCF of bad faith, saying it had invited UASU to Machakos for CBA negotiations on September 11, even as SRC had not issued salary review guidelines, which are a prerequisite for talks.

“What a contradiction. A CBA cannot be negotiated without beacons from SRC. Or did you think you were going to give me tea or lunch there? Who first of all, get the beacons – and those beacons must be proper,” he said.

In rejecting government proposals of a two per cent increment and staggered allowances, the UASU boss insisted lecturers deserved the same treatment as teachers, who were awarded 16 to 32 per cent by SRC.

“Dons will not take two per cent. Dons will not take staggered implementation. If teachers got 16 to 32 per cent, that is the bare minimum for dons,” Wasonga maintained.

He also decried discrimination in state benefits, pointing out that while other public servants enjoy medical schemes, car loans, and mortgages, lecturers have been excluded for over a decade.

“We are the ones contributing the highest percentages to affordable housing, yet how many houses do we get? Zero. Teachers got 20 per cent. What is that if not discrimination? Meanwhile, lecturers don’t even have medical cover, mortgages or car loans. For 10 years, nothing,” he said.

The UASU chief said exponential growth in student enrolment has not been matched with recruitment of lecturers, undermining the quality of higher education.

“In some lecture halls, I have taught 1,200 students. Is that a class? Can we talk about quality university education in such conditions? Universities rely on part-timers who are not even paid, and that delays graduation. The new CBA must provide funds for recruitment and promotions,” he said.

He demanded that promotions, which in other parts of the public service happen every three years, be applied to lecturers, some of whom stagnate in one job group for two decades.

He further called for car loans, mortgages and proper facilitation of university teaching. He lamented that universities were starved off resources, with even basics like marker pens and teaching aids missing.

“Our salaries are pegged on student fees, yet the government orders universities to admit students for free. So should lecturers sell chalk and papers to survive?” he asked.

In a stern warning, Dr Wasonga reiterated that the strike would not be called off until the demands are met.

“My mind is very clear. I will not call off this strike until the Ksh2.73 billion is paid, the Ksh8.8 billion arrears cleared, and the 2025-2029 CBA negotiated and implemented. Letters will not do. Wire the money,” he said.

The strike has thrown the academic calendar into uncertainty, disrupting lectures, examinations and research across public universities. Students now face an indefinite shutdown unless the government and union reach a compromise.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Chris Mahandara