University staff down tools despite government's Sh2.5 billion payout
CS Ogamba confirmed on Tuesday that the National Treasury had disbursed the funds, urging lecturers to suspend the strike notice issued on September 10 and allow time for the money to be reflected in their accounts.
Learning in public universities has come to a standstill after university staff, led by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), commenced a nationwide strike despite the government’s announcement that Sh2.5 billion had been released to implement Phase Two of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed on Tuesday that the National Treasury had disbursed the funds, urging lecturers to suspend the strike notice issued on September 10 and allow time for the money to be reflected in their accounts.
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“We appeal to our lecturers to suspend the strike and allow ongoing efforts to conclude so that learning is not disrupted,” said Ogamba, adding that the government remained committed to honouring all negotiated financial obligations and encouraged dialogue as the best way forward.
However, UASU officials rejected the appeal, insisting the strike would continue until the money is received and other pending issues are resolved.“Lecturers don’t eat letters,” said Dr Maloba Wekesa, Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) – University of Nairobi Chapter Secretary, during an interview on NTV’s morning show.
“If that money were in my account, I wouldn’t be here. I would be in my research lab.”
He also accused the government of repeatedly stalling payments and triggering unnecessary crises: “You just don’t wake up in the morning and say, we are on strike. You register a dispute in early July, and by the end of July, nothing. End of August, nothing.”
The union insists that, beyond the Sh2.73 billion for Phase Two of the current CBA, lecturers are still owed Sh7.9 billion from the 2017–2021 CBA despite a ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court compelling the state to pay.
UASU is also demanding the immediate commencement of negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA to avoid further disputes. University staff unions have vowed not to resume teaching until all arrears are settled and negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA are concluded.
Similar strikes have also been reported at Egerton University, Kisii University, and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, where lecturers staged protests on campus grounds on September 17, 2025. Teaching staff at the University of Eldoret, Kirinyaga University, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) have also downed their tools in solidarity with the nationwide action.
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