Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced that the Ministry of Education has released KSh 3.85 billion to public university accounts to settle part of the salary arrears owed to lecturers under the 2017-2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), effectively ending a prolonged nationwide strike that had disrupted learning across the country.
The payment marks a crucial step in resolving the industrial action, which forced universities to suspend lectures, examinations, and research activities nationwide.
CS Ogamba said the funds address a significant portion of long-standing arrears owed to lecturers and form part of a two-phased payment plan agreed between the government and university unions. Under the arrangement, the remaining balance will be disbursed in July 2026.
The breakthrough follows extensive negotiations involving the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA). The total amount owed to lecturers under the CBA stood at KSh 7.9 billion.
UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga confirmed the union’s acceptance of the agreement, saying, “We have agreed to be paid in two instalments… We are happy that we have secured the whole amount.” However, he warned that unions would not hesitate to resume industrial action should the government fail to honour its commitments.
The strike, which began on September 17, 2025, caused widespread disruption to the academic calendar, leaving students and parents uncertain about the completion of the academic year. Its resolution brings significant relief, with universities reorganizing their schedules to recover lost time.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi also acknowledged that a one-off payment was not feasible due to budgetary constraints but assured stakeholders that the agreed plan guarantees full settlement by mid-2026. CS Ogamba praised the unions for their “maturity and patriotism,” noting that the deal would restore stability in public universities.
The agreement also includes a non-victimization clause, ensuring that no staff member will face disciplinary action for participating in the strike.
Attention now shifts to the implementation of the agreement and upcoming negotiations for the 2025-2029 CBA.
