Kenya’s higher education system is on the brink of collapse as a prolonged lecturers’ strike continues to paralyze learning across public universities. The industrial action, now stretching beyond 40 days, has seen members of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) stand firm in their demand for the immediate payment of arrears owed under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

At the center of the standoff lies Sh7.76 billion in unpaid salaries and allowances — the verified figure following a nationwide audit of all public universities. Initially, union leaders pegged the arrears at Sh7.9 billion, while the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) placed the outstanding balance at Sh6.4 billion, adding confusion and delaying resolution. The verification process, however, confirmed the unions’ position, fueling demands for a one-off disbursement.

Negotiations have since hit a stalemate, with the government’s proposal to pay the arrears in installments — first across three phases and later two — rejected by both unions. UASU Secretary General Dr. Constantine Wasonga and KUSU Secretary General Dr. Charles Mukhwaya insist that phased payments are unacceptable, citing the government’s track record of unfulfilled promises. Their joint statement reaffirmed that only a lump-sum settlement would restore trust and guarantee lecturers’ return to classrooms.

Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba has reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the impasse, acknowledging that “budgetary mutations” have hampered the immediate release of the verified funds. Ogamba clarified that the Sh7.76 billion arrears were not initially accounted for in the national budget, as the figure was verified only recently. He confirmed the disbursement of a second tranche worth Sh2.73 billion to public universities, with the balance expected to be incorporated into the next fiscal year’s allocation.

The CS appealed for patience and urged lecturers to resume work as talks progress, emphasizing the government’s respect for academic professionals. He also dismissed claims that lecturers are a low priority, explaining that national budget allocations differ across sectors. “Education remains a cornerstone of Kenya’s development,” Ogamba stated, calling for mutual flexibility to avert further disruptions.

Government agencies, including the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) and the Federation of Kenya Employers, have been directed to maintain dialogue with union leaders to fast-track a resolution. Students, meanwhile, continue to bear the brunt of the standoff, with thousands stranded mid-semester. The Ministry of Education has assured parents and learners that every effort is being made to reopen universities and normalize the academic calendar soon.

As discussions for the 2025–2029 CBA begin, both unions and the state face mounting pressure to conclude the lingering dispute over the 2017–2021 agreement. Analysts warn that the credibility of Kenya’s university education depends heavily on how swiftly and transparently the government resolves this financial deadlock one that has once again exposed deep structural weaknesses in the nation’s education funding model.