Egerton University has temporarily suspended all teaching and learning activities and ordered students to vacate the campus, effective November 5, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., due to an ongoing industrial action by university staff unions.
The University Senate, following its 580th meeting on November 4, 2025, resolved to formally suspend operations until the industrial dispute with the Universities’ Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) is resolved.
“The University senate at its 580th meeting held on 4th November 2025 has resolved that teaching and learning activities be formally suspended until the industrial dispute is resolved”, part of the statement reads.
Statement sent to the students. PHOTO/Egerton University
The notice directs all affected students to vacate the University premises by Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
The closure of Egerton University aligns with similar actions across other public universities as the nationwide strike thatb has affected the first semester for students for the 2025/2026 cohorts, primarily centered on disputes over the implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and the payment of salary arrears, continues to paralyze Kenya’s higher education sector.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Education on Tuesday, November 4,2025 over the ongoing lecturers’ strike, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi stated that the government is facing financial constraints and cannot settle the Ksh.7.9 billion debt in a single payment.
He explained that the Ministry of Education had sought approval to disburse the funds in three instalments — a proposal that was accepted by the Treasury but rejected by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU).
Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Constantine Wesonga. PHOTO/Courtesy
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) led by Secretary General Constantine Wesonga has vowed that lecturers will not return to lecture halls until the entire Ksh.7.9 billion owed is paid in full.
Wesonga accused the government of repeatedly going back on its promises during past industrial actions, insisting that the union would not relent until the long-overdue payment is made.
