Lecturers strike ends, learning to resume nationwide
By Kiprono Keileb, November 5, 2025The nationwide lecturers’ strike has finally come to an end, paving the way for the reopening of universities and colleges across the country.
After weeks of stalled learning and growing tension in universities across the country, the lecturers’ strike has finally come to an end, bringing relief and renewed hope for thousands of students.
“White smoke at last! Kenya’s lecturers’ strike ends, classrooms to reopen, hopes restored for thousands of students,” announced Beatrice Muganda, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Higher Education and Research, after a meeting with the stakeholders held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
The strike, which began on September 17, 2025, had paralysed academic activities in all public universities, leaving students stranded and frustrated. Many institutions were forced to suspend examinations and academic calendars, while some students’ unions threatened to take to the streets in solidarity with the lecturers.
At the heart of the strike was the implementation of the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Lecturers, through the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), demanded the full release of KSh 7.9 billion owed under the deal. The unions also pushed for meaningful negotiations on the next 2025–2029 CBA, accusing the government of dragging its feet.
“We are marching for victory today on the issues we are fighting for. On the 2017–2021 CBA, our demand is clear: we want the full Ksh7.9 billion implemented, and we will negotiate for that CBA in total,” said UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga during one of the protests.
For weeks, negotiations between the unions and the government remained deadlocked. Lecturers and staff repeatedly walked out of meetings, describing the government’s proposals as insufficient and lacking sincerity. Their stance drew widespread public debate as the academic calendar continued to hang in the balance.
But this week, a breakthrough was finally reached. Following intense consultations and renewed government commitment, the unions agreed to call off the strike, paving the way for universities to reopen.
The end of the strike is a major relief not only for students, some of whom were preparing for final-year exams, but also for parents and the wider education sector. The Ministry of Education has assured that a revised calendar will be shared to recover lost time.
For now, there’s a sense of relief and renewed energy across campuses as lecturers prepare to return to class and learning resumes nationwide.