Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has sent an appeal to striking lecturers and the government as the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) continues.
In an update on Monday, November 18, the Senator said the strike has reached a critical point, leaving thousands of students stranded.
Additionally, Omtatah blamed the government for deepening the crisis with its inconsistent responses to the lectures' demands.
"The persistence of the strike, driven by the lecturers' determination to have their demands met, has created a difficult and uncertain environment for all stakeholders.
"The KK government’s inconsistent response—shifting between engagement and inaction—has only deepened the crisis, prolonging the impasse and exacerbating its negative effects," he said.
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Omtatah noted that as the strike continues, students are stuck in their campuses with no access to essential support, classes, and food.
"The students, unfortunately, remain the most affected by this deadlock. Many are confined to campuses with no access to classes, food, or essential support, leaving them vulnerable and frustrated. This prolonged inactivity is not only detrimental to their academic progress but also to their mental and emotional well-being.
"We urge both the striking lecturers and the KK government to prioritize the needs of the students and the future of the nation and engage in collaborative dialogue with urgency and sincerity to resolve the underlying issues and restore normalcy to the universities," he added.
The UASU strike has paralyzed learning in public universities in Kenya for over two months, as lecturers demand the payment of salary-related dues exceeding Ksh 11 billion.
Moi University has suspended UASU officials and barred them from campus, escalating tensions.
UASU branch secretary Ojuki Nyabuta said they had received the suspension letters signed by Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration Professor Kirimi Kiriamiti.
“We have received the suspension letters and are blocked from entering the main campus of the university. We will not be shaken and we remain on strike until we are paid all our salary-related dues," he said.
Despite attempts by Parliament to mediate, UASU remains firm on its demands, which include a 7-10% salary increase and improved working conditions as per a previous agreement with the government.
