Lecturers at Machakos University joined their colleagues across the country in peaceful demonstrations, decrying the government’s failure to implement several Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) dating back as far as 2017. Photo by Virginia Siebela 
By Virginia Siebela
Lecturers at Machakos University, under the umbrella of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), on Thursday joined their colleagues across the country in peaceful demonstrations, decrying the government’s failure to implement several Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) dating back as far as 2017.
UASU officials accused the government of delaying both the full implementation of signed CBAs and the commencement of negotiations for the 2025–2029 cycle. Dr. Martin Kasina, the UASU Secretary for Academic Staff, said the protracted negotiations have consistently left lecturers unpaid, creating arrears that continue to pile up year after year.
“We negotiate CBAs outside the cycle, which is why we always end up with unpaid balances. We now demand that the 2025–2029 counter-offer be tabled and implemented within the cycle,” Dr. Kasina said. He added that Machakos University is also lagging in local negotiations, with the 2017–2021 local CBA still unresolved.
Branch Secretary of the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) at Machakos University, Mr. Silvanus Mukai, noted that the government owes university staff billions in arrears. “The 2017–2021 CBA was only half paid, leaving a balance of KSh7.9 billion. The 2021–2025 CBA is also in arrears to the tune of KSh2.73 billion. This is money that is rightfully ours. Above all, we want the 2025–2029 CBA jumpstarted,” he emphasized.
Mukai acknowledged the disruption to learning but insisted that the strike was a fight for justice. “We know this action affects students, but if lecturers and university workers are not properly remunerated, the quality of education will inevitably suffer. We are here to demand what we deserve—nothing more, nothing less,” he said.
Students at the institution expressed their frustration with the ongoing strike. Machakos University Students President, Ms. Ashley Chepkoech, said the industrial action had dampened the morale of learners, particularly first-year students who had only joined the university a month ago.
“We are disappointed. First years have barely settled in and they have already lost valuable time. If the government does not act by next week, comrades will be forced to take action,” she warned.
First-year student Samson Francis echoed her sentiments, saying he felt shortchanged. “I expected by now to be in class learning, but instead, lecturers are on strike. The government must intervene quickly,” he pleaded.
Third-year student Stanley Runga noted the long-term academic consequences of the strikes. “Last year we had to sit exams during holidays with very limited preparation time. This is unfair to us, and we urge the government to resolve this crisis immediately,” he said.
The lecturers vowed to continue their demonstrations until the government fully implements the pending CBAs and clears arrears stretching back nearly a decade.
