University lecturers have warned of possible fresh countrywide industrial action after raising concerns over the implementation of the KSh20 billion agreement that ended their four-week strike.
The warning emerged on November 4, when 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) appeared before a joint sitting of Parliament’s Education and Labor Committees.
Led by UASU Secretary General Dr Constantine Wasonga, the unions asked Parliament to secure binding government guarantees to ensure that the KSh20 billion allocated towards the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) is released as agreed.
Although lecturers resumed teaching on Monday, November 2, following the signing of a Return-to-Work Formula on October 30, the unions say critical issues surrounding university funding, staff salaries and outstanding employment obligations remain unresolved.
Wasonga told MPs that the government must honor its financial commitments within the agreed timelines, warning that signing an agreement without securing its implementation would leave university employees exposed to further uncertainty.
The unions want the National Treasury and Ministry of Education to provide clear funding assurances, while also asking Parliament to ensure that outstanding CBA matters are concluded and implemented.
“The agreed Ksh. 20B must be released in accordance with the stipulated tranches, the outstanding CBA items must be concluded within the agreed timelines, be signed, registered and implemented,” Dr Wasonga stated.
In addition, the union asked Parliament to separate student financing from university operational costs in the proposed Tertiary Education, Placement and Funding Bill, 2026.
According to the union, staff salaries should not depend on student fees under the student-centered funding model.
The unions also cited approximately KSh100 billion in outstanding remittances and called on the government to settle its obligations to public universities.
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University Treasury Funding Remains Unresolved
Labor Committee Chairperson Hon. Ken Chonga warned that without National Treasury backing, the KSh 20 billion agreement could be breached, potentially triggering another strike.
IPUCCF Chairperson Prof. Fred Simiyu Barasa explained to the MPs that securing direct Exchequer funding was outside the mandate of the joint negotiations committee.
He noted that the negotiations began in October 2025, with an improved CBA offer presented on October 1, 2026.
Principal Secretary for Labor and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime said the October 30 agreement was binding, adding that the Inter-Ministerial Committee included the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and a senior Treasury official.
He added that negotiations on outstanding non-financial CBA issues would be concluded by February 2027.
Salaries and Remuneration Commission Chief Executive Officer Ali Abdullahi Surraw also clarified that the commission’s advice must remain within available budget allocations to prevent unfunded government commitments.
Unions Push for Full Implementation of CBAs
On October 2, 2026, University staff unions went on strike after failing to reach an agreement with the government over the 2025–2029 CBAs.
The unions initially sought about KSh98 billion to implement the agreements, while the government, through the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum, proposed a lower amount.
Government proposals included KSh9.76 billion, KSh11.95 billion and KSh11.96 billion, all of which the unions rejected as inadequate.
The negotiations continued for four weeks before the parties reached a KSh20 billion agreement on October 28, 2026.
UASU announced that it had reached an agreement with the government worth approximately KSh20 billion to finance the 2025–2029 CBA.
On October 30, the parties formally signed the Return-to-Work Formula, officially ending the nationwide strike that had lasted 28 days.
The agreement provides for KSh6.7 billion to be paid in the 2026/2027 financial year, another KSh6.7 billion in 2027/2028, and KSh6.6 billion in 2028/2029.
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Parliament Promises to Monitor Implementation
Education Committee Chairperson Hon. Julius Melly assured the unions that Parliament would closely monitor the implementation of the agreement.
He said the National Assembly would ensure that the KSh6.7 billion expected for the 2026/2027 financial year is included in Supplementary Estimate No. 1.
Melly urged all parties to protect the agreement rather than reopen issues already settled during negotiations.
“We will ensure the KSh. 6.7 billion agreed upon for this fiscal year is part of Supplementary Estimate No. 1 for Financial Year 2026/27. You should not be worried about implementation. The National Assembly’s Implementation Committee will follow up on it,” affirmed Hon. Melly.
The Education Committee is expected to meet the Principal Secretaries for Higher Education and the National Treasury to establish the funding framework.
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