The Ministry of Education has ordered public universities to crack down on striking staff. The ministry has directed them to enforce internal policies on absconding duty as the lecturers’ month-long strike drags on.
Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala noted that the striking university staff are aware of the court’s position on their industrial action and should have already resumed teaching.
A recent court ruling declared the ongoing strike illegal, a position echoed by both the Ministry and universities.
“Every university is autonomous and managed through a council, so as a Ministry, we expect every university to implement its internal policies regarding absconding duty,” she said on Tuesday during the launch of a data returns portal at the University Funds offices.
The unions are demanding the settlement of Sh7.9 billion , which they claim is outstanding from the 2017–2021 CBA, as well as the start of negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA. However, the Ministry of Education insists that, based on an advisory from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), only Sh624 million remains unpaid under the 2017–2021 CBA.
The standoff has disrupted academic activities in public universities across the country. The dispute has since escalated to the courts.
Universities Academic Staff Union National Chairperson Grace Nyongesa, Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga, and Organizing Secretary Onesmus Mutio at the Uasu head office in Nairobi on September 10, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation
The parties are set to return to court on October 15 for further directions on how much the government owes the lecturers and the universities non-teaching staff.
Public University Vice Chancellors have started taking disciplinary action against staff who fail to report to work.
Prof Daniel Mugendi, Chairperson of the Vice Chancellors Committee of Public Universities, said institutions have clear frameworks to deal with staff who abscond duty.
“Those absconding duty know the consequences as the strike is illegal. Last week, the court said lecturers need to go back to class and teach,” said Prof Mugendi.
Prof Mugendi, who also serves as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Embu, said negotiations should continue as teaching goes on.
Technical University of Kenya (TUK) Vice Chancellor Benedict Mutua confirmed that his institution has already taken disciplinary action against striking staff.
“We have taken stern disciplinary action against those not teaching since the strike is illegal. Those who do not get to class will be punished as per the law,” Prof Mutua said.
Despite these warnings, the unions have maintained a hardline stance, insisting that the Sh7.9 billion must be fully paid. They have refused to accept any offers under the proposed 2025–2029 CBA unless fresh negotiations commence.
“This is exactly what negotiations are about: offers are made and discussed. Nothing is off the table, but learning must continue,” said PS Inyangala.
Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) and Kenya Universities staff Union (Kusu), members from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, protest in Kakamega on September 17, 2025.
Photo credit: Isaac Wale | Nation
The unions warned that should the stalemate persist, university students will only return to class next year.
A report by a technical committee of the Joint Negotiations Committee found that the SRC had significantly understated the amount owed to university staff. According to the audit, the total financial requirement stood at Sh16.57 billion, of which the government has so far disbursed Sh8.8 billion, leaving an outstanding balance of Sh7.77 billion.
