The Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (VCC) has adopted far-reaching resolutions to address the ongoing strike in public universities, aimed at safeguarding learning, protecting the academic calendar, and preserving institutional order.
On Monday, September 29, 2025, the committee emphasised the continued defiance of trade unions and their persistence with the strike, despite a court interdiction issued on September 18, 2025, by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
In a statement issued by Prof. Daniel Mugendi, Chairperson of the Vice-Chancellors’ Committee and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Embu, the resolutions were described as a coordinated response to restore normalcy across all public universities.
The first resolution was unequivocal: staff participating in the industrial action would not be paid for the period during which they withdrew their labour. This directive will be implemented through the respective university councils. The committee emphasised that this measure is necessary to uphold discipline, ensure fairness to staff who continue to work, and deter unlawful withdrawal of labour.
For public universities that had already disbursed September 2025 salaries before the strike began, the committee directed that corresponding amounts for days not worked be recovered in the subsequent month. This recovery will ensure that no staff member benefits financially from time spent away from duty during the illegal strike.
The Vice-Chancellors’ Committee also resolved that the release of agency fees to the unions be suspended. Where necessary, collection of union dues from striking members may also be withheld, subject to applicable labour laws and existing court judgments. This measure aims to enforce accountability within unions while protecting universities from financing industrial action that disrupts the learning process.
To preserve order on campuses, the committee directed that “Notices to Show Cause” be issued to staff members found to be disrupting teaching, interfering with students, or hindering non-striking staff from discharging their duties.
And where warranted, disciplinary proceedings will be taken to note that such actions are essential to protect the rights of staff and students committed to fulfilling their academic responsibilities.
Another strong resolution was that the decision to withhold salaries for the strike period shall remain in force and will not be rescinded even if a return-to-work formula is signed in the future.
The Vice-Chancellors’ Committee resolved that all lawful instruments available would be employed to compel unions to call off the strike and restore normalcy in public universities.
A major part of the deliberations focused on financial claims arising from the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). The committee noted that according to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), KSh 8.8 billion was disbursed between 2020 and 2021, and KSh 7.2 billion of the remaining claims was met through normal annual salary increments. This left KSh 624 million outstanding.
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Based on this verified financial position, the Vice-Chancellors’ Committee resolved that the government should engage first before convening any further meetings with unions on the outstanding amounts.
Depending on the outcome of consultations with the government, the committee will reconvene to determine the appropriate approach for further engagement.
If the State confirms the verified figures, the funds will be disbursed to all public universities on an equitable basis, recognising that some universities had already paid staff at the expense of other institutional operations.
This resolution seeks to harmonise payments across institutions and ensure fairness in financial settlements.
Looking to the future, the Vice-Chancellors’ Committee agreed to fast-track and prioritise negotiations for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The timely conclusion of this next cycle of agreements, the committee noted, is important to prevent the accumulation of arrears.
The committee added that these resolutions, unanimously adopted, will be applied uniformly across all universities.
This coordinated approach aims to ensure consistency in addressing the current industrial action and to restore normal academic programs swiftly.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Daniel Mugendi, who also serves as Secretary to the Inter-Public Universities Councils’ Consultative Forum of the Federation of Kenya Employers, affirmed the commitment of the Vice-Chancellors to safeguarding the future of higher education: “The time has come to protect the academic calendar, restore order, and uphold the dignity of our institutions. These resolutions will be enforced firmly and fairly across all public universities.”
By Joseph Mambili
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