KENYA: UASU Dismisses Ministry’s Claims Of Ongoing Learning As Strike Enters 43rd Day

By Lapit Mose Punyuah- Nairobi, Kenya

The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has dismissed claims by the Ministry of Education that learning is ongoing in some public universities, insisting that no classes are taking place nationwide.

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonc ga said lecturers will remain on strike until the government pays the Ksh.7.9 billion salary arrears in full and fully implements the 2019–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

“If Alliance, Mang’u, and Starehe have no learning going on, and one day school in the village is teaching, can you say there is learning in Kenya?” Wesonga posed, accusing the government of releasing misleading figures to divide lecturers.

The Ministry of Education had earlier indicated that learning was normal in 17 universities, partially ongoing in 13, and suspended in 12 institutions.

Meanwhile, university students have taken to the streets, protesting the prolonged strike that has disrupted academic calendars and urging the government to resolve the stalemate.

The lecturers’ strike has now entered its 43rd day, with UASU warning it will not call off the industrial action until all their demands are met.