The government has cited KSh18.6 billion in payments towards outstanding obligations owed to public university staff as negotiations continue to resolve a nationwide lecturers’ strike that has disrupted learning across the country.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala said the government remained committed to addressing lecturers’ grievances and restoring normal learning in public universities. On Saturday, October 17, 2026, she urged striking lecturers to return to class as negotiations over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) continued.
The government’s position comes amid an ongoing dispute between state officials and university staff unions over salaries, allowances, funding arrangements and the implementation of collective bargaining agreements.
The strike began on October 2 after negotiations failed to produce an agreement acceptable to the unions. The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and other university workers’ representatives have maintained that their outstanding demands must be addressed before normal academic activities can resume.
UASU Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wasonga has insisted that the government must provide a credible funding commitment and address the concerns raised by university employees. The unions have also called for clear arrangements to ensure salaries are funded through the National Exchequer rather than student fees.
Earlier negotiations stalled after the unions rejected a government proposal of KSh12 billion, arguing that it did not adequately address their demands under the new CBA.
Inyangala has maintained that the government is committed to finding a lasting solution while balancing its financial obligations against available resources. She has urged lecturers to resume teaching as discussions continue.
The dispute has left students, parents and university administrators concerned about disrupted academic calendars, delayed examinations and the uncertainty surrounding the resumption of normal university operations.
Although the government has cited KSh18.6 billion in payments as evidence of its commitment to addressing staff obligations, the key issue remains whether the ongoing negotiations will produce an agreement that satisfies the unions’ demands.
A return to normal learning will depend on the outcome of discussions between the government, university employers and the unions, as well as the resolution of the outstanding issues under the 2025–2029 CBA.
