Government resume CBA talks as university Lecturers entered the third day on strike

By Jaqueline

The government has resumed negotiations with university lecturers’ unions as the ongoing strike enters its third day. The talks are being led by the Ministry of Labour, which is seeking to resolve disagreements surrounding the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The negotiations bring together government officials and representatives from the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and other unions representing university employees. A conciliation team led by Labour Ministry-appointed conciliator David Njagi is overseeing the discussions.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that negotiations had begun but said the government could not disclose details of the issues being discussed while the parties remained at the negotiating table.

Ogamba said the talks were focused on outstanding matters under the proposed CBA and expressed hope that the two sides would reach an agreement within the coming days.

The CS also urged lecturers to return to classrooms as negotiations continue, arguing that the strike is disrupting teaching and learning in public universities.

He pointed to the resolution of previous CBAs as evidence of the government’s willingness to address issues affecting university lecturers. According to him, outstanding matters from the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 CBAs had been settled.

The government says it remains committed to improving the welfare of university lecturers while finding a lasting solution to the current dispute.The ongoing negotiations are expected to determine whether the two sides can reach common ground and end the strike.Ogamba has appealed to lecturers to suspend the industrial action and allow learning to resume as the negotiations continue.