Education Cabinet Secretary Simon Ogamba has announced that university lecturers are set to resume classes this week following promising negotiations between the government and the University Academic Staff Union (UASU).
Speaking to the media on Monday, Ogamba revealed that both parties are close to finalizing an agreement that could end the lecturers’ strike, which has paralyzed learning in public universities since September 17.
According to the CS, the Ministry of Education and UASU met over the weekend in Machakos to iron out issues surrounding the implementation of the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). He also confirmed that discussions for the 2025–2029 CBA are well underway.
Ogamba disclosed that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has agreed to release Ksh7.2 billion to the lecturers—slightly short of the Ksh7.9 billion demanded by the union. “We are hoping that a report will be made today to determine the outstanding amount. The SRC has already paid Ksh7.2 billion, leaving a balance of Ksh624 million,” he stated.
The prolonged strike has disrupted academic activities nationwide, prompting student unions in several institutions to threaten joining the demonstrations if the government failed to act swiftly.
Among the lecturers’ grievances are the government’s delay in implementing automatic annual salary increments, failure to remit statutory deductions, inadequate medical and pension benefits, and other welfare issues affecting public university staff.
Last week, UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga accused the SRC of overstepping its advisory role by limiting salary proposals to Ksh3 billion over four years. “We are supposed to negotiate with our employer, but the SRC’s involvement seems to hinder that process,” Wesonga lamented.
With the ongoing negotiations nearing a conclusion, optimism is growing that normal learning will soon resume in public universities across the country.
