Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba appeared before the National Assembly on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to shed light on the government's efforts to resolve the ongoing lecturers' strike. The strike, now in its fourth week, has paralysed learning in public universities across the country, impacting thousands of students.

Ogamba stated that the government has substantially implemented the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), disbursing a total of KSh 9.76 billion in three tranches. According to the CS, KSh 4.3 billion was released for the period of October 2024 to June 2025, with an additional KSh 2.73 billion disbursed for the 2025/2026 Financial Year. The remaining KSh 2.73 billion is scheduled for payment in the next financial year.

However, a significant dispute persists regarding the 2018-2021 CBA. University academic staff unions, including the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), claim an outstanding balance of KSh 7.9 billion. This figure contradicts the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), which maintains that only KSh 624 million is owed after adjustments, attributing the discrepancy to differing interpretations.

Historical and Political Context

Lecturers' strikes over Collective Bargaining Agreements have been a recurring issue in Kenya's higher education sector for decades. Past industrial actions, such as a nearly year-long strike in 1994 and a two-month stoppage in 2006, highlight long-standing grievances regarding remuneration and working conditions. These disputes often stem from a perceived disparity in public sector salaries and a decline in state support for universities.

The current financial challenges faced by public universities are multi-dimensional, including massive debts, reduced government funding, and internal inefficiencies. As of March 2025, 23 public universities were reportedly at risk of insolvency, with a combined debt to creditors reaching KSh 75 billion. The University of Nairobi alone faced KSh 13.58 billion in outstanding payments, including KSh 4 billion in historical debt. Kenyatta University and the Technical University of Kenya also carry substantial debts.

Laws, Policy, and Governance

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) plays an advisory role in determining the salaries and benefits of public officers, including university lecturers. However, unions accuse the SRC of overstepping its advisory mandate and directly interfering with collective bargaining negotiations. UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wesonga stated that the SRC's actions have made effective negotiations with employers impossible.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court had previously directed that the matter be under conciliation. Despite a court order issued on Thursday, September 18, 2025, suspending the strike to allow for conciliation, lecturers have vowed to continue their industrial action until their demands are fully met.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

The ongoing strike has left thousands of university students in limbo, with some threatening to join the strike if the impasse continues. UASU National Chairperson Grace Nyongesa reiterated that lecturers would not return to work until the 2021-2025 CBA is fully implemented and negotiations for the 2025-2029 CBA commence immediately.

Constantine Wesonga, UASU Secretary-General, emphasized the unions' frustration with the government's failure to address their grievances, accusing authorities of neglecting the teaching profession. He highlighted that lecturers are heavily taxed, yet pension schemes are reportedly collapsing.

Evidence and Data

• Total Financial Requirement (2021-2025 CBA): KSh 9.76 billion.
• Disbursed (Oct 2024 - June 2025): KSh 4.3 billion.
• Disbursed (2025/2026 Financial Year): KSh 2.73 billion.
• Remaining (Next Financial Year): KSh 2.73 billion.
• Unions' Claim (2018-2021 CBA arrears): KSh 7.9 billion.
• SRC's Position (2018-2021 CBA arrears): KSh 624 million.
• Public University Debt (as of March 2025): KSh 75 billion (to creditors).

Risks and Implications

The prolonged strike poses a significant risk to the academic calendar and the quality of higher education in Kenya. Students face disruptions to their learning, potentially leading to extended semesters. The financial instability of public universities, exacerbated by the ongoing disputes, could further hinder their ability to provide quality education and retain qualified staff.

Unknowns and Controversies

The primary point of contention remains the significant discrepancy between the KSh 7.9 billion claimed by the unions for the 2018-2021 CBA arrears and the KSh 624 million acknowledged by the SRC. The unions have called for a joint verification team to reconcile these figures, a proposal that the SRC has reportedly refused. Additionally, the unions accuse the SRC of limiting salary proposals to KSh 3 billion over four years for all university workers, an amount they deem insufficient.

Timeline and Next Steps

The lecturers' strike, which began in mid-September 2025, continues despite a court order for conciliation. Fresh talks between the government and university staff unions collapsed on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The unions have announced plans to escalate their industrial action by devolving the strike to individual university chapters across the country.

What to Watch

All eyes will be on further developments in the conciliation process ordered by the Employment and Labour Relations Court. The willingness of both the unions and the SRC to engage in a joint verification of the disputed figures will be crucial in breaking the deadlock. The National Assembly's Education Committee may also play a role in mediating a resolution.