Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has urged the government to immediately honor the collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) signed with lecturers to end the nationwide university strike. The strike, now in its third week, has paralyzed learning across public universities, disrupted research, and left over 500,000 students stranded.
In a statement on Wednesday, Owino emphasized the need for transparent and predictable education funding, criticizing the government’s approach as ad hoc and neglectful.
“Education is not a political token. It is a right and Kenya’s backbone. Systemic funding is not optional; it is urgent,” he said.
At the heart of the dispute is the chronic underfunding of public universities and delayed payments owed to lecturers. According to Owino, the government still owes Sh7.9 billion from the 2017–2021 CBA and Sh2.73 billion from phase II of the 2021–2025 CBA. While the Treasury recently released Sh2.5 billion, Owino argued the amount was insufficient to meet lecturers’ demands or address the damage already caused.
He warned that students risk losing a semester, research projects remain stalled, graduations delayed, and careers postponed. “Despite releasing Sh2.5 billion, the damage is done,” he said, adding that neglect of higher education was eroding public trust and fueling brain drain as professionals seek opportunities abroad.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) called the strike in mid-September after stalled negotiations on the implementation of CBAs. UASU National Chairperson Grace Nyongesa confirmed that no talks are currently underway and insisted the 2021–2025 CBA must be fully implemented before future negotiations begin.
Meanwhile, a section of students has also threatened to go on strike if the standoff is not resolved soon. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has warned that striking lecturers risk disciplinary action for defying a court order to resume classes.
As the crisis escalates, Babu Owino appealed for immediate government intervention, stating: “Let’s build a great future for all Kenyans.”
