University workers issue 7-day strike notice

Students in public universities are set to face disruptions in teaching and learning just days after reopening.

This is after the University and Academic Staff Union (UASU) on Wednesday issued a seven-day strike notice in protest of the government's failure to implement the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The notice was issued by UASU National Secretary-General Dr. Constantine Wasonga.

"We have officially issued a Seven ( 7) day Strike Notice to Chairs of Respective Councils," read a notice by Wasonga.

If the strike proceeds, universities could face a dual crisis; an ongoing funding model issue and a frustrated teaching staff, which would further complicate the learning environment.

Despite numerous attempts by UASU officials to resolve these issues with university leadership, their efforts have not succeeded.

This potential strike could add to the recent turmoil in the education sector, which has already been dealing with several challenges. The strike notice comes just a week after secondary school teachers ended their week-long strike that had halted teaching and learning nationwide.

The lecturers' strike threatens to disrupt the new university academic calendar that started in September and may delay graduation ceremonies scheduled for October and November at various institutions.

Currently, lecturers at the Technical University of Kenya and Moi University are already on strike due to issues with partial salary payments. They are demanding the full payment of their salary arrears, which have been deferred by the universities due to financial difficulties.