The crisis in public universities has escalated after the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) interdicted more than 40 lecturers for participating in the ongoing nationwide strike, now in its 35th day.

The interdictions have sparked a fresh wave of protests at TUK, where academic staff arrived to find the university gates locked and were later served with suspension letters.

The affected lecturers, many of whom are union leaders, have vowed to continue both the national and campus-level strikes until their grievances are addressed.

"This is harassment. They are quick to issue interdiction letters and pay us half salaries, yet they can't show the same urgency in fulfilling the CBA," said Andrew Musungu, Secretary General of the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) at TUK.

The institution's move, comes a week after Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala instructed Public universities to enforce disciplinary measures against staff who continue striking, with the Ministry of Education declaring the industrial action illegal and in defiance of court directives.

Inyangala said striking university staff are aware of the court’s position and should have resumed teaching.

“Every university is autonomous and managed through a council, so as a Ministry, we expect every university to implement its internal policies regarding absconding duty,” she said.

Technical University of Kenya Vice Chancellor Benedict Mutua confirmed that his institution has already taken disciplinary action.

“We have taken stern disciplinary action against those not teaching since the strike is illegal. Those who do not get to class will be punished as per the law,” he said.

The industrial action shows no sign of ending, as lecturers insist the government must pay Sh7.9 billion owed under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) before returning to class.

Leaders of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) have reiterated their demand for full implementation of the court-ordered payment and immediate negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA.

"On the 2017–2021 CBA, our demand is clear: we want the full Sh7.9 billion implemented, and we will negotiate for that CBA in total. Four years down the line, its value has already depreciated,” a senior UASU official told Julisha.co.ke

The official, who spoke to Julisha Media on condition of anonymity, accused the government of neglecting the teaching profession and described lecturers as “deeply frustrated” over the failure to address their grievances.

“We are heavily taxed, yet the system isn’t working, pension schemes are collapsing, and we are demanding dignity in our profession. We will not return to work until even the new 2025–2029 CBA is discussed and agreed upon,” she added.

The strike, now in its second month, has paralysed learning in all public universities, with lecturers insisting they will not resume work until their demands are met in full. They want the government to settle Sh7.9 billion in outstanding dues from the 2017–2021 CBA and also commence talks for the 2025–2029 CBA.

The Ministry of education, citing an advisory from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), insists only Sh624 million remains unpaid under the 2017–2021 CBA.

However, a technical committee report from the Joint Negotiations Committee revealed that the SRC had significantly understated the amount owed. The audit indicated the total financial requirement was Sh16.57 billion, of which the government has disbursed Sh8 billion, leaving Sh7.77 billion outstanding.

KUSU Secretary-General Charles Mukhwaya accused the government of failing to engage directly with union leaders.

The ongoing standoff has disrupted learning across public universities, escalated to courts, parliament and forced some students to go home. Meanwhile, Thousands of university students have been left stranded, with academic calendars disrupted, upkeep funds exhausted, and graduation timelines at risk.