There is a glimmer of hope for a breakthrough in the two-month-long lecturers’ strike after the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) signalled willingness to consider a government proposal for phased payment of their Sh7.9 billion salary arrears.
The union, which has previously insisted on a one-off settlement of the arrears accrued under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), has now indicated readiness to explore a two-phased payout, a revision from the government’s initial three-phase proposal.
The government had initially proposed settling the arrears in three instalments before revising the offer to two equal payments of 50 percent each, but the union insisted it had to be paid in a lump sum.
Uasu Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga on Tuesday told Parliament that the union was willing to review its position for the sake of students, suggesting an 80-20 payment formula instead.
“The worst we can accept is 80-20. Let the government pay 80 percent now, about Sh5 billion, and the remaining 20 percent in FY 2026/2027. That is our irreducible minimum if we are to restore learning in our universities,” he told the National Assembly Education Committee.
Dr Wasonga added that the union expects an apology from the Ministry of Education for previously dismissing Uasu’s Sh7.9 billion figure, calling them ‘confused’ concerning the amount, which has now been verified as correct.
Uasu Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga (left) and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba at County Hall, Nairobi, on November 4, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba pleaded with the union to consider the 50-50 offer to allow learning to resume in public universities, which have been paralysed since the strike began on September 17 2025.
“Now that the outstanding amount under the 2017-2021 CBA is not in dispute, what we need to agree on is the payment arrangement, given that this is a significant amount that had not been budgeted for in the current financial year,” he told the Committee chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly.
His National Treasury counterpart John Mbadi, echoed similar sentiments, urging UASU to appreciate the government’s constrained fiscal position.
Mr Mbadi confirmed that the Sh7.9 billion figure was verified and undisputed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), but warned that Kenya’s wage bill has become unsustainable.
“As this matter is looked into, we must care for our public university staff but we also plead that we agree on a formula that will not put excessive strain on our purse,” he said.
Students of Egerton University protest outside their institution calling for the end of the lecturers' strike on October 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
He explained that in 2013, the government spent only 16 percent of its tax revenue on the wage bill, but today the same has surpassed 40 percent.
“As of January this year, our monthly wage bill stood at Sh80 billion, translating to Sh960 billion annually. If we are not careful, we will crowd out capital expenditure, stall economic growth, and ultimately be unable to pay salaries or meet recurrent costs,” he warned.
He revealed that after consultations, the Treasury agreed to fund the 2017-2021 CBA in two instalments of 50 percent in FY 2025/2026 and 50 percent in FY 2026/2027, despite the tight fiscal framework.
“Kenya narrowly avoided a loan default last year, and while our economic stability is improving, we must safeguard it, and be cautious not to undo that progress,” he cautioned.
Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum IPUCCF appealed to Parliament and the Treasury to allocate sufficient funds to bring the matter to a close.
“We implore the Committee to support the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury, and the SRC in providing the requisite budgetary allocation so that we dispose of this issue once and for all,” IPUCCF Joint Negotiations Committee Chair Prof Fred Simiyu Barasa said.
Universities Academic Staff Union National Chairperson Dr Grace Nyongesa (left) with Secretary General Dr Constantine Wasonga (right) and Kenya University Staff Union Secretary-General Charles Mukhwaya after addressing the media at their Head office in Nairobi on October 31, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Melly urged both parties to compromise, emphasising the plight of students and parents affected by the ongoing strike.
“I implore on UASU and the Education CS not to let the implementation be a big issue because it is just six months away. For the sake of ur children and the parents that have paid rent for two months and the students are loitering without being taught, let's close the ranks,” said Mr Melly.
He committed that the Education Committee will factor in as a first charge the Sh3.85 billion for arrears of CBA 2017-2021 in the FY of 2026/2027.
Uasu and the Ministry of Education are expected to convene a meeting and agree on a return to work formula to allow the union to call off the strike that has paralysed operations in public universities.
