- Public universities have asked SRC to review its advice on the proposed 2025–2029 CBAs.
- University heads say outstanding government funding exceeding Sh100 billion has left institutions facing severe financial constraints.
- They want the National Treasury to provide separate funding for implementation of the proposed agreements.
Public universities have appealed to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to review its advice on the proposed 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), citing a funding shortfall of more than Sh100 billion.
In a letter dated September 23, 2026, the Vice-Chancellors and Principals of public universities, through the Inter-Public Universities Councils’ Consultative Forum of the Federation of Kenya Employers (IPUCCF-FKE), said institutions were facing severe financial constraints that could make it difficult to implement the proposed agreements.
The appeal was addressed to SRC Commission Secretary/CEO Ali Abdullahi Surraw and followed a letter dated September 18, 2026, in which the commission sought information from vice-chancellors and principals on the funds available to implement the 2025–2029 CBAs.
The university leaders said their concerns were considered during a special meeting of the Vice-Chancellors Committee held on September 22.
Universities cite funding gap
According to the forum, the introduction of the Student-Centred University Funding Model (SCF/M) has not been accompanied by full remittance of government funding to public universities.
The institutions said the outstanding government funding currently stands at more than Sh100 billion, leaving universities struggling to meet existing academic, personnel and operational obligations.
The university heads warned that requiring institutions to absorb the additional financial burden arising from the 2025–2029 CBAs from their current SCF allocations would further strain their finances.
They consequently asked the National Treasury and Economic Planning to provide additional funding specifically for implementation of the agreements.
“The additional financial requirement arising from the 2025–2029 CBAs be fully funded by the National Treasury and Economic Planning with the requisite resources specifically provided for implementation,” the letter states.
The universities said the funding should be provided separately rather than being drawn from existing allocations intended to support their normal operations.
The forum said its position should inform SRC’s consideration of the affordability and fiscal sustainability of the proposed CBAs for public universities and constituent colleges.
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The letter was signed by Prof Daniel Mugendi, Secretary of the IPUCCF-FKE, Chairman of the Vice-Chancellors’ Committee of Public Universities and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Embu.
By Kimwele Mutuku
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