The National Treasury has urged university lecturers to accept payment of their Ksh.7.9 billion arrears in installments, citing the government’s tight fiscal position. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi told the Education Parliamentary Committee on Tuesday that the government cannot afford to pay the entire amount at once due to limited cash flow.
Mbadi explained that the Ministry of Education had initially proposed settling the dues in three installments, a plan that was approved by the Treasury but rejected by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU).
“That’s when we revised the plan to two installments one in the 2025/2026 financial year and the other in 2026/2027,” Mbadi said. “However, that proposal was also turned down.”
He noted that the government must adhere to realistic payment plans to sustain economic recovery while meeting its financial obligations. “We want to commit ourselves to an arrangement we can realistically sustain. Our economic stability is improving compared to last year, when we almost defaulted on our foreign debt,” he added.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba echoed Mbadi’s sentiments, revealing that the unions declined the installment plan despite the ministry’s explanation that the money had not been budgeted for. “They insist on being paid the full amount at once, despite our explanation that the funds are not available,” Ogamba said.
Ogamba further clarified that of the Ksh.7.9 billion demanded, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) determined only Ksh.624 million was payable as arrears. By that time, the government had already released Ksh.200 million, leaving a balance of Ksh.7.7 billion.
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga maintained that lecturers would not return to lecture rooms until the full payment is made, accusing the government of repeatedly failing to honor past agreements. He also demanded that the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) be negotiated, signed, registered, and implemented in full.
