NAIROBI, Kenya — The government has released Sh2.5 billion to implement the second phase of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for university lecturers, in a bid to stave off a nationwide strike that threatened to paralyse learning in public universities.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed the release on Tuesday and appealed to the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) to withdraw its strike notice.
He said the funds were already being processed and would soon reflect in lecturers’ accounts.
“We appeal to our lecturers to suspend the strike and allow ongoing efforts to conclude so that learning is not disrupted. Our priority is to keep our students in school and lecturers in class,” Ogamba said.
UASU’s demands
UASU had last week issued a seven-day strike notice, accusing the government of reneging on commitments made under the 2021–25 CBA.
The union demanded immediate payment of arrears from the 2017–21 agreement, as well as implementation of salary adjustments.
The union said Sh2.7 billion in arrears, due in July under last year’s return-to-work formula, had not been released.
It also cited Sh8.8 billion owed from the 2017–21 CBA, despite court rulings directing the government to settle the amount.
“Our members shall therefore withdraw their labour and shall not resume duty until all these demands are met,” UASU Secretary-General Wesonga warned.
Pressure on universities
The strike, supported by lecturers in more than 40 public universities, was expected to begin this week and could have disrupted teaching and examinations nationwide.
The union is also pressing for immediate negotiations on the 2025–2029 CBA.
UASU has accused the government of ignoring directives from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, the Education Ministry, and the National Treasury to allocate funds for the agreements.
Govt insists on dialogue
Ogamba assured the lecturers that the government remains committed to honouring its financial obligations and said dialogue is the best path forward.
“The strike notice is on the basis of the CBA we signed last year. There was a strike and a return-to-work formula, which included a Sh2.7 billion arrears portion due in July. That money had not come, so we had a good discussion with them yesterday,” Ogamba explained.
The Cabinet Secretary expressed optimism that the government and lecturers’ union would find common ground in time to prevent disruptions.
