The lecturers’ strike is in its third week and the Ministry of Education and the lecturers unions cannot agree on the terms.Lecturers have vowed not to go back to work until their arrears are paid in full and their other terms are met.

The students have issued an ultimatum for the governmnt to end the strike because the impasse threatens their graduation timelines and future plans if not urgently resolved.

Efforts to end the nationwide university staff strike hit a deadlock after unions and the government clashed over the actual amount owed to lecturers on October 1. University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) members during the strike.

The strike, now in its third week, has paralysed learning in public universities and put thousands of students at risk of losing the academic year.

What is the dispute between lecturers and the government? Appearing before the Senate on October 1, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the dispute revolves around arrears from different Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

He explained that under the 2021-2025 CBA, lecturers last year received KSh 4.3 billion, and another KSh 2.3 billion was scheduled for July 2025. He said the delay in disbursement has triggered the current strike. Ogamba further noted that the outstanding balance is due in June 2026, but acknowledged the 2017-2021 CBA has also not been fully paid.

“Once we verify how much is due, we can move to the next stage of settling it,” he told senators, adding that the conciliation report will be filed in court on Monday.

Whatsapp do lecturers want? The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) dismissed the CS’s position. The lecturers’ union insisted that the government owes staff KSh 7.9 billion and must pay in full.

“We shall remain outside until the issues raised are addressed. There are no negotiations currently underway,” Uasu Chairperson Grace Nyongesa said, adding that talks for the 2025-2029 CBA must also begin immediately. Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya accused vice chancellors of misleading the public and warned that ignoring signed agreements amounts to contempt of court.

“The court has directed that we be paid. We cannot negotiate a court judgement. Let them pay,” he said, urging members to stand firm and not go back to work.

Uasu Secretary General Constantine Wasonga said any government audit of the disputed arrears must include unions and revealed plans to challenge in court the earlier ruling that declared the strike illegal. On September 19, the Employment and Labour Relations Court halted the strike to allow a conciliation process, but unions have vowed to defy the order.

Meanwhile, senators raised alarm over wider education funding gaps. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna questioned why the government was ignoring the lecturers’ strike, while Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu cited a Sh43.4 billion shortfall in free primary and secondary education.

Will lecturers be paid their salaries? As the standoff continues, the government has threatened to withhold September salaries for striking lecturers, a move unions have dismissed as intimidation.

For now, thousands of university students remain in limbo as both sides dig in, with the lecturers insisting they will not return to class until their KSh 7.9 billion arrears is fully settled and the 2017-2021 CBA is fully implemented.

Meanwhile, university students have threatened to join the lecturers on strike as they are afraid of missing out on the entire semester. Students said the impasse threatens their graduation timelines and future plans if not urgently resolved.

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