Kenya university staff extend strike and oppose funding bill

University lecturers and academic staff in Kenya have extended their strike, demanding that the government honor a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Representatives from the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) stated that industrial action will continue until outstanding employment issues and agreements are resolved.

In addition to the labor dispute, the UASU has raised concerns regarding the proposed Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026. The union submitted recommendations to Parliament arguing that the Bill lacks a clear distinction between student financing and institutional financing. They warned that without guaranteed and predictable funding for universities, the cost of running public institutions could shift from the government to students through increased fees and loans, potentially undermining the quality of research and teaching.