Labour CS meets with varsities unions’ leadership to resolve strike

The strike led by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) has entered its second week, causing significant disruptions across Kenya’s public universities.

With learning activities at a standstill, the government has stepped in to address the deadlock.

On Wednesday, Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua engaged with union leaders, including UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga and KUSU Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya, in a bid to resolve the crisis. 

The discussions culminated in the formation of an inter-ministerial negotiation team aimed at addressing the unions' grievances and crafting a return-to-work agreement.

The committee will comprise representatives from the Ministries of Labour and Education, the National Treasury, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), public universities, the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC), and officials from both unions.

Dr Mutua highlighted the urgency of resolving the strike, emphasising that swift action was necessary to prevent further disruption to students' education.

“We cannot let these issues persist and disrupt the learning of thousands of students,” the CS said in a post-meeting statement.

He also emphasized the importance of honouring Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) once signed, stressing that workers should be informed promptly and transparently if challenges arise. 

"The unions are advocating for salary adjustments, allowances, and other matters included in the CBA. The inter-ministerial committee will begin discussions tomorrow, and we are committed to working tirelessly until a resolution is reached," he added.

The strike has left thousands of students in limbo, but both the government and union officials remain optimistic that ongoing negotiations will lead to a timely solution and a return to normalcy at public universities.