The Ministry of Education (MoE) has urged striking university staff unions to call off their ongoing industrial action, insisting that the government has already met its financial obligations under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba confirmed that the government had fully paid KSh 2.73 billion to the unions in line with the 2021–2025 CBA. He emphasised that the unions had been notified of the payment before the commencement of the strike.
“The Government has honoured its end of the bargain. We paid KSh 2.73 billion, and, regrettably, industrial action continues despite this commitment,” Ogamba said.
The CS lamented that the strike had severely disrupted teaching and learning across public universities, affecting hundreds of thousands of students.
“This disruption undermines not only academic programs but also the future of our students who rely on uninterrupted learning,” Ogamba added.
Earlier in the day, the Employment and Labour Relations Court issued an order stopping the strike pending a conciliation process. The ministry has now called on union leaders to respect the court directive and return to the negotiation table.
“The order of the court is clear: dialogue must precede industrial action. We expect full compliance with this ruling,” Ogamba stated.
Union representatives, however, insist that while payments have been made, unresolved issues on implementation and working conditions remain.
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Dr Grace Wanjiku, a senior lecturer and union official, said: “The strike is not only about money. It is about fairness, respect, and addressing long-standing challenges in staff welfare.”
Student leaders also weighed in, expressing frustration at the prolonged stalemate.
“We are caught in the crossfire. Our classes are paralysed, yet we are the ones paying fees and losing valuable time,” said Brian Otieno, a student leader from the University of Nairobi.
Despite the tensions, the Ministry of Education pledged to remain open to dialogue to safeguard staff welfare and restore normalcy.
“We remain committed to constructive engagement. Our universities must operate seamlessly, and that can only be achieved through good faith on both sides,” Ogamba concluded.
By Joseph Mambili
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