University Lecturers Strike in Kenya Deepens as Unions Reject Government Offer, Demand Full Ksh.7.9 Billion
MACHAKOS, Kenya – The stalemate crippling Kenya’s public universities has intensified after a crucial negotiation meeting in Machakos collapsed, with lecturers’ unions firmly rejecting a government proposal and insisting on the full payment of Ksh.7.9 billion in outstanding dues. The university lecturers strike, now in its 39th day, has left academic activities at a standstill, with thousands of students facing an uncertain future as the two sides remain deadlocked.
The Unions, the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Union of Specialised Staff (KUSU), have declared that their members will not return to work until the government pays the Ksh.7.9 billion in full and a new return-to-work formula is negotiated and signed. This hardline position signals a significant escalation in the long-running dispute over the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which the government has only partially implemented.
A Firm Stance and a Failed Meeting
The meeting in Machakos, which was seen as a potential breakthrough, ended in a deadlock as union leaders dismissed the government’s reviewed offer. Instead of discussing a phased payment plan or a revised return-to-work formula, the unions are now demanding that the entire financial obligation be settled before any further negotiations can proceed. This firm stance underscores the deep-seated frustration among academic staff after years of delayed promises and partial payments.
“We shall not call off the strike unless we negotiate and sign, and the due of Ksh.7.9 billion should be paid in full,” said UASU’s official, Wasonga, capturing the unyielding mood of the unions. He further reinforced this position with the declaration, “Ksh.7.9 billion be paid at once before the return-to-work formula is put on the table. No retreat, no surrender.”
Union officials have sharply criticized the Ministry of Education for its handling of the crisis, accusing it of trivializing the severe impact of the ongoing industrial action. They argue that the government’s casual approach has directly led to the prolonged disruption, which has seen students miss nearly two months of lectures. The unions have even suggested that the government should compensate students for the lost academic time, a demand that highlights the far-reaching consequences of the dispute.
“The government has also to compensate the university students for time wasted. The government has pushed the UASU and KUSU to be on strike,” stated Charles Mukhwaya of KUSU, placing the blame squarely on the government’s shoulders. For ongoing coverage of this critical issue and other national developments, follow the latest Kenya news on Africa News Desk.
In response, Education CS Migos Ogamba, speaking from Nyamira County, maintained that the ministry is still engaged in efforts to resolve the impasse. He identified the specific amount of money to be paid as the primary sticking point, suggesting that the government is unwilling or unable to meet the full Ksh.7.9 billion demand at once.
“Our learners are suffering out there just because the government has not refused to pay but just the the amount of money to be paid,” said CS Ogamba, attempting to reframe the conflict as a disagreement over figures rather than a outright refusal to pay.
Show-Cause Letters, SRC Standoff, and a Rejected Offer
As the university lecturers strike drags on, several public university administrations have begun taking a harder line against the striking staff. Multiple lecturers have reported receiving show-cause letters, which are often a precursor to disciplinary action, including potential dismissal. However, the unions have instructed their members to stand firm and not be intimidated by these threats, vowing to protect their members’ rights.
“Anybody threatening the lecturers with show cause should stop immediately. We are ready for negotiation but now that they have accepted,” said Wasonga, challenging the university managements and affirming the unions’ readiness for dialogue, but only on their terms.
Beyond the immediate tussle with the Ministry of Education, the unions have also trained their sights on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). They accuse the SRC of being a major stumbling block in the resolution of the crisis, alleging that the commission has been misadvising the government on fiscal matters related to the CBA. The call to disband the SRC indicates that the unions see the commission as a fundamental obstacle to a fair settlement.
“SRC should be disbanded as it is misadvising the government wrongly. This matter should be concluded immediately by government paying in full,” asserted Charles Mukhwaya, voicing a sentiment that has been growing among public sector unions frustrated with the SRC’s role in wage bill management.
The depth of the disagreement was made clear when lecturers outright rejected a Ksh.3.5 billion offer from the Education Ministry. This offer, which represents less than half of the total amount claimed, was seen by the unions as insufficient and insincere. Its rejection has effectively prolonged the strike, ensuring that students will remain out of class for the foreseeable future. The financial implications of the stalemate are severe, not just for the lecturers awaiting their dues, but for the entire university ecosystem, which relies on government funding. As reported by Citizen Digital, the government’s position remains that the amount is a point of contention, leaving little room for a quick compromise.
The ongoing university lecturers strike in Kenya is more than a simple labour dispute over unpaid arrears; it is a symptom of a deeper crisis within the country’s public higher education sector. Chronic underfunding, ballooning staff dues, and an overstretched national wage bill have created a perfect storm. The refusal of the academic staff to back down, even in the face of dismissal threats, signals a breaking point. The longer the lecture halls remain empty, the greater the damage to the quality of education and the future of the students caught in the middle. With both sides entrenched in their positions and no new talks scheduled, the path to resolving one of Kenya’s most protracted university lecturers strikes appears increasingly difficult and remote.
