Kenya's striking university professors may return to classrooms as early as Monday after their union leader signaled willingness to accept a staggered payment schedule for salary arrears totaling 7.94 billion shillings. University Academic Staff Union Secretary General Constantine Wasonga pledged to consult members within four days about compromising on demands for immediate full payment of wages owed from a 2017-21 labor agreement. The work stoppage reached its 48th day on Tuesday.
Wasonga told lawmakers he would recommend an 80-20 disbursement structure, with 5 billion shillings paid initially and the remaining 2 billion shillings deferred until the 2026-27 budget year. His shift followed mediation by Parliament's education committee, which he praised for treating faculty with respect, unlike government negotiators. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Treasury chief John Mbadi attended talks at Jogoo House B in Nairobi, though Mbadi cautioned against rushing implementation without proper procedures.
The walkout that began on September 17 has left students at 42 public universities with virtually no instruction this academic term. Faculty originally demanded full settlement of back pay, negotiations for a new contract covering 2025-29, and complete execution of the earlier collective bargaining accord.
Wasonga told lawmakers he would recommend an 80-20 disbursement structure, with 5 billion shillings paid initially and the remaining 2 billion shillings deferred until the 2026-27 budget year. His shift followed mediation by Parliament's education committee, which he praised for treating faculty with respect, unlike government negotiators. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Treasury chief John Mbadi attended talks at Jogoo House B in Nairobi, though Mbadi cautioned against rushing implementation without proper procedures.
The walkout that began on September 17 has left students at 42 public universities with virtually no instruction this academic term. Faculty originally demanded full settlement of back pay, negotiations for a new contract covering 2025-29, and complete execution of the earlier collective bargaining accord.
