The standoff between university lecturers and management is expected to take centre stage today when the Ministry of Labour convenes a high-level meeting with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and councils of all public universities.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua will chair the session to break the deadlock over arrears and legacy debts.
Speaking during the Elimu Mashinani Forum in Kilifi last night, Principal Secretary for Higher Education Dr Beatrice Inyangala confirmed the meeting. “Tomorrow there is a meeting of the Ministry of Labour by the Minister with UASU and University Management and Council,” she said.
Dr Inyangala reassured stakeholders that the government had already addressed part of the lecturers’ grievances. “I would like to confirm that lecturers had an issue with arrears for the CBA of 2022–2025, which we were paying in instalments, but ever since we have paid Sh2.73 billion,” she explained.
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She also pointed out that lingering disputes relate to past obligations. “And so, the issue of a legacy debt is something that came out of court for the 2017–2022 CBA. We are appealing to lecturers that current issues have been resolved and there is a lawful reconciliation process going on,” she added.
The PS stressed the government’s commitment to stabilising the university sector despite financial constraints. “So we are at the top of things. As a government, we are confronting all legacy issues head-on, and we are confident that the sector will stabilise,” she affirmed.
The Kilifi forum, which discussed education reforms and accountability, was attended by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Basic Education PS Prof. Julius Bitok, Higher Education PS Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, and TVET PS Dr. Esther Muoria.
Today’s meeting is expected to be a make-or-break moment, with lecturers warning that unresolved issues could prolong the ongoing disruptions in public universities.
By Joseph Mambili
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