The nationwide lecturers’ strike has entered its third week, with no signs of resolution after tense negotiations between public university staff, the Ministry of Education, and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) failed to yield results at Machakos University.
At the heart of the dispute is the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which lecturers insist has not been fully honored. They are demanding the full payment of Ksh.7.9 billion, rejecting any lesser offer from the government. The standoff has crippled learning across public universities, leaving thousands of students stranded and frustrated.
Sources close to the talks revealed that the lecturers accused the SRC of misguiding the government and demanded the commission’s exclusion from future negotiations. The lecturers’ unions argue that the SRC has continually stalled progress and interfered with agreements already reached with the Ministry of Education.
How Did the Dispute Over the Ksh.7.9 Billion Begin?
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba disputed the figures being quoted by the lecturers, stating that the actual outstanding amount stood at Ksh.624 million, a sharp contrast to the Ksh.7.9 billion claim. According to him, most of the obligations were already cleared through phased disbursements over recent financial years.
“The government has already released Ksh.4.3 billion covering the period from October 2024 to June 2025, an additional Ksh.2.73 billion was allocated in the 2025/2026 financial year, and another Ksh.2.73 billion is planned for the 2026/2027 period,” Ogamba explained.
He emphasized that these payments are being handled as scheduled and called for patience, noting that “the remaining amount will be disbursed according to the agreed plan.”
However, lecturers maintain that the disbursements were either partial or misallocated, and have accused the Ministry of offering misleading information to justify delays.
Who Is to Blame for the Prolonged Strike?
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi weighed in on the ongoing stalemate, distancing his ministry from the dispute. He insisted that the Treasury had fulfilled its obligations, pointing to the disbursement of Ksh.4.3 billion as proof that the financial commitment had been honored.
“In my view, the problem with the lecturers’ strike is not with the Treasury. The issue lies in the lack of understanding between the Ministry and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). That’s where it needs to be resolved,” Mbadi stated.
His remarks exposed the widening rift between government agencies, each blaming the other as the strike continues to paralyze academic activities across public universities.
Union leaders, meanwhile, have vowed not to return to class until their demands are met in full. With negotiations collapsing and the strike now stretching into its fourth week, there is growing concern about the long-term impact on students and the academic calendar.
The standoff highlights the persistent tensions in Kenya’s higher education sector, where budget delays, policy disagreements, and unpaid dues continue to erode trust between the government and educators. Unless a breakthrough is reached soon, the strike threatens to push the crisis in public universities even deeper.
By Yockshard Enyendi
