Government releases Sh2.5 billion to avert nationwide strike by university lecturers
UASU had issued a seven-day strike notice last week, accusing the government of failing to honour its commitments under the current CBA and demanding payment of arrears from the 2017–2021 agreement.
The government has released Sh2.5 billion to implement Phase Two of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for university lecturers, a move aimed at preventing a nationwide strike that threatened to disrupt learning in public universities.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed the release on Tuesday, urging the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) to withdraw their strike notice and allow the disbursed funds to be processed and reflected in lecturers’ accounts.
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UASU had issued a seven-day strike notice last week, accusing the government of failing to honour its commitments under the current CBA and demanding payment of arrears from the 2017–2021 agreement.
The union also called for the immediate commencement of negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA.
Ogamba assured the lecturers that the government is committed to meeting its financial obligations and emphasised that dialogue remains the best path forward.
“We appeal to our lecturers to suspend the strike and allow ongoing efforts to conclude so that learning is not disrupted,” he said.
The planned strike, supported by more than 40 public universities, was expected to begin this week and could have disrupted teaching and examinations across the country if no agreement was reached.
UASU maintained that unless arrears are fully paid and salary adjustments honoured, lecturers would not resume work.
Ogamba expressed optimism that an agreement will be reached in time to prevent disruptions. “Our priority is to keep our students in school and lecturers in class. We are committed to resolving this matter.”
He explained that the lecturers’ grievances stem from the CBA signed last year, which included commitments to pay arrears and implement salary adjustments.
Part of the arrears, amounting to Sh2.7 billion, was due in July but had not been released.
“The strike notice is on the basis of the CBA that we signed last year. When there was a strike and a return-to-work formula, there was a Sh2.7 billion arrears portion that was to be paid in July. That money had not come, so we had a good discussion with them yesterday,” Ogamba said.
UASU also cited Sh8.8 billion owed from the 2017–21 CBA, which remains unpaid despite court rulings.
The union accused the government of ignoring directives from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Ministry of Education, and the National Treasury to allocate funds for the CBAs.
The union further demanded the immediate negotiation, conclusion, and registration of the 2025–29 CBA, in line with the Recognition Agreement signed in 2019.
“Our members shall therefore withdraw their labour and shall not resume duty until all these demands are met,” UASU Secretary-General Wesonga warned.
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