Kenya's public universities could face renewed labour tensions despite the recent return of lecturers to classrooms following a nationwide strike that paralysed learning for nearly a month.

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) called off its nationwide industrial action on October 30, 2026, after reaching a Sh20 billion agreement with the government to implement the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Lecturers were expected to resume their teaching and research duties on November 2.

Under the agreement, the government committed to releasing the Sh20 billion in three financial instalments. The first Sh6.7 billion is expected in the 2026/2027 financial year, followed by another Sh6.7 billion in 2027/2028 and the remaining Sh6.6 billion in 2028/2029.

The deal also provides for an annual basic salary increment of 3.5 per cent over four years, backdated to July 1, 2025. Lecturers will additionally benefit from an automatic annual salary increment of five per cent, alongside adjustments to commuter, leave, passage and baggage allowances.

However, the agreement has not resolved all the concerns raised by university staff unions.

Among the outstanding issues are medical insurance coverage and approximately Sh7.9 billion in salary arrears linked to the previous 2021–2025 CBA. These unresolved matters have raised questions about whether the latest agreement will provide a lasting solution to the recurring disputes between university workers and the government.

The unions had initially demanded approximately Sh98 billion to address their salary and allowance concerns, making the eventual Sh20 billion settlement a significant compromise.

Meanwhile, university students are still dealing with the consequences of the prolonged industrial action. The strike disrupted lectures, examinations, research activities and graduation schedules, leaving thousands uncertain about their academic calendars.

The government now faces the challenge of implementing the agreed financial commitments while ensuring that unresolved issues do not develop into another industrial dispute.

Although UASU has called off the strike, there is currently no confirmed new nationwide strike date. Attention is now shifting towards the government's ability to honour the agreement and address the remaining grievances.

For students, lecturers and university administrators, the biggest concern is whether the latest settlement will finally bring lasting stability to Kenya's public university education system.