The Ministry of Education has responded to the ongoing industrial action by members of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and other university staff unions, which has disrupted learning in several public universities across the country.
In the statement released on Thursday, September 18, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to honouring all obligations agreed upon in Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) and the Return-to-Work Formula signed with the unions.
According to the Ministry, the government has already released Ksh2.73 billion in full settlement of its obligations under the 2021–2025 CBA. The Ministry noted that this payment was communicated to union officials prior to the commencement of the strike.
CS Ogamba further referenced a ruling made earlier on Thursday by the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC), which issued an order interdicting the strike pending a formal conciliation process.
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He called on all university staff to comply with the court order, return to work, and allow space for the conciliation process to proceed.
“It is regrettable that the industrial action has disrupted teaching and learning in our universities, affecting hundreds of thousands of students despite the good faith and commitment demonstrated by the Government,” the statement read.
“We therefore call upon the University Staff Unions to call off the current strike in compliance with the order of court, to allow room for the legally sanctioned conciliation process.”
Ogamba has maintained that the government remains open to constructive dialogue aimed at safeguarding staff welfare while ensuring uninterrupted university operations.
The statement comes after university lecturers under UASU downed their tools, demanding that outstanding arrears under previous CBAs also be honoured.
Lecturers at institutions including the University of Nairobi (UoN), Maseno University, Egerton University, and Kisii University have taken part in the strike, arguing that the government has failed to fully implement both the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 CBAs.
Union leaders demand the immediate implementation of all CBAs
Speaking on Wednesday, UASU University of Nairobi Chapter Secretary Dr. Maloba Wekesa accused the government of neglecting the welfare of university staff.
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He cited a KSh7.9 billion debt in arrears from the 2017 CBA, which, despite a court ruling in their favour on March 25, 2025, remains unpaid.
“Members of staff have been reduced to beggars. Phase 2 was meant to have been paid. We gave the government 7 days to act after a 3-month delay,” Dr. Wekesa said. “In 2017-2021, we had a similar CBA. It took 36 months for the government to pen down an agreement. We were denied a yearly increment. Courts said go ahead and implement. On March 25th, 2025, the court ruled in favour.”
The Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) Nairobi Branch Secretary, Peter Waita, echoed the frustrations, stating that university workers have been denied what is rightfully theirs and vowed that the strike would continue until all CBAs are implemented.
“The government continues to neglect workers. They must implement the 2017–2021 and 2022–2025 CBAs and initiate negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA,” said Waita.
At Moi University, UASU Acting Secretary General Dr. Dan Mukhwana insisted that the strike would not end unless the government fulfills all its obligations.
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my innocent question; where has the so-called Minster been to wait until now so as to be seen to be “releasing the agreed upon cash many years ago”; was he hoarding the cash somewhere????