By Robert Mutasi 
Teaching and learning activities at the University of Eldoret have been disrupted after lecturers and other university workers joined a nationwide strike over delays in negotiating and implementing the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The strike began on Friday, October 2, 2026, with members of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and other university workers’ unions withdrawing their services.
At the University of Eldoret, union officials led staff in launching the industrial action and said workers would remain on strike until outstanding issues surrounding the CBA are addressed.
KUSU Principal Branch Secretary Robinson Kibet said university workers were protesting what he described as the government’s failure to honour commitments made to employees.
Kibet said negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA had taken too long, with workers repeatedly being asked to wait for the process to progress. He said the unions want the agreement negotiated, registered and implemented without further delays.
The unions have also raised concerns over allowances, funding of public universities, local collective bargaining agreements and differences in employment benefits among public servants.
Kibet said university workers should receive fair and comparable treatment in matters relating to salaries, allowances and working conditions. He also cited delays in implementing a previous return-to-work formula that was expected to be finalised in February 2025.
University of Eldoret UASU Chapter Chairperson Dr Jalu Omurunga said lecturers were also concerned about disparities in the treatment and financing of university employees.
Omurunga opposed proposals that universities should rely on student fees to finance lecturers’ salaries. He argued that lecturers are public servants and their salaries should be funded by the government through the Exchequer.
UASU officials further raised concerns over local CBA matters at the university.
Dr Nyaveri Mugaka, delivering a message from UASU Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wasonga, said the institution had longstanding issues involving commuter allowances, remuneration and staff promotions.
Mugaka claimed University of Eldoret employees receive about KSh8,000 in commuter allowance, compared with up to KSh35,000 for staff in some other universities.
The unions are also demanding increased government funding for public universities. Mugaka said higher education should not increasingly depend on student fees, arguing that education is not a devolved function.
University of Eldoret UASU Treasurer Catherine Elima appealed to students and parents to understand the workers’ position, warning that shifting responsibility for lecturers’ salaries to students could increase the financial burden on families.
The unions have vowed to continue the strike until the outstanding issues are addressed. Kibet and Omurunga said members would await direction from their respective national leaderships before resuming work.
The industrial action could affect lectures, examinations, academic supervision and other services at the University of Eldoret and other public universities as the government and unions seek a resolution to the CBA dispute.