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Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, union leaders accused the government and university councils of dragging their feet on Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) that have remained unimplemented for years.
The court issued the directive on Monday morning after KAA moved to court seeking orders to stop the strike. Both the union and the management appeared before the Ministry at 11 am for the session, which continued until 7:45 pm before it was adjourned. The talks are expected to resume on Tuesday morning.
CS Ogamba said the government was ready for constructive dialogue with the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and other unions but insisted that the strike must first be called off.
The strike has been ongoing since August 20, 2025, as the lecturers demand the implementation of the return-to-work formula signed on November 30, 2024, with the University council.
Vice Chancellor Professor Kiplagat Kotut has expressed confidence that the dispute can be settled, saying new talks are being organised to address the union’s grievances.
The Universities Academic Staff Union said negotiations with the university management have collapsed, with both sides failing to agree on a way forward despite two weeks of industrial action.
The industrial action, now in its second week, has disrupted academic programs, leaving students worried about their studies and examinations.
The so-called “day of stoppage” saw roads blocked, businesses closed and protesters gather outside politicians’ homes
The union is demanding that salaries for June and July 2025 be paid according to the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement rates
Instead of marching to Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s office as earlier scheduled, the nurses joined a blood donation drive at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) to support the 26 survivors of the accident and honour the 26 lives lost, most of them from Nyakach Subcounty.
KMPDU has further threatened to file contempt of court proceedings against accounting officers accused of ignoring the legally binding commitments.