Strike: Speaker Wetang’ula asks university staff members to embrace dialogue

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National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged university staff unions to suspend their strike and allow dialogue to resolve salary disputes.

Speaking at Parliament Buildings after meeting leaders of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), Speaker Wetang’ula acknowledged their concerns, but appealed for a return to work.

The two(2) unions began a nationwide strike on September 17, 2025, demanding Sh11.53 billion in arrears--Sh2.73 billion from the 2021–25 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and Sh8.8 billion from the 2017–21 CBA.

They are also pressing for talks on a new 2025–29 CBA.

The boycott has disrupted lectures, examinations, and research across 39 public universities.

The Unions accuse the government, through the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum, the Ministry of Education Ministry, and the National Treasury of ignoring a 2021 court order to settle the arrears.

Dr Wetang’ula said Parliament was ready to provide a neutral platform for negotiations if the matter is not before court.

“Parliament is a neutral institution ready to receive petitions,” he said, assuring the Unions that the Public Petitions Committee would prioritise their grievances once formally tabled.

He added, “The committee will invite Union leaders and education officials, then develop an inclusive way forward for settlement.”

The Speaker urged the unions to resume duties, warning that prolonged strikes risk harming students’ academic progress.

“I encouraged unions to return to class, allow dialogue to continue, and give Parliament a chance to mediate,” he said.

The strike, now in its second week, has sparked anxiety among students and parents over the academic calendar.