UASU boss vows to sustain lecturers' strike as talks enter crucial stage

Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wasonga has vowed that lecturers will not return to classrooms until the union's demands are addressed, signalling a hardening of the standoff between university staff and the Government.

Speaking to lecturers at Kenyatta University on Wednesday, Dr Wasonga said the ongoing industrial action would continue despite renewed efforts to resolve the dispute.

"I will not call off the strike until we get what we want," Dr Wasonga said, insisting that the union remained committed to securing a satisfactory deal for its members.

His remarks came as UASU and other university staff unions prepared for crucial talks with the Government in an effort to break the impasse that has disrupted operations in public universities. T

he dispute centres on the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with the unions demanding a firm Government commitment on the outstanding issues before they consider returning to work.

Dr Wasonga also used humour to underline the union's determination to sustain the strike, recalling his earlier promise that the dispute would be resolved by Thursday.

"On Monday I told them we will finish this strike by Thursday, si mliskia? And I am a philosopher. There is a Thursday this week, there is a Thursday next week and there is a Thursday next year, so they can choose the Thursday they want," he said.

The remarks underline the union's position that the strike will only be called off after the Government addresses its demands. The prolonged industrial action has disrupted learning in public universities, leaving thousands of students uncertain about the academic calendar.

The latest negotiations are expected to determine whether the two sides can reach an agreement and pave the way for lecturers to resume teaching. For now, Dr Wasonga's position remains firm: the strike will continue until UASU is satisfied that the issues contained in the 2025–2029 CBA have been adequately addressed.