Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has made a fresh call for university staff to return to their workstations, stating that the government has already gone the extra mile to address concerns raised by striking lecturers and non-teaching workers.
The industrial action, which has paralysed learning in public universities since mid-September, has left thousands of students stuck at home or idle on campuses as institutions struggle to operate.
In a detailed statement issued on Friday, October 31, Ogamba emphasised that the State has demonstrated genuine effort to resolve the wage dispute and honour collective bargaining agreements, only for unions to decline the latest offer.
He noted that the government had released funds and agreed to a structured plan to settle pending arrears, but union leaders declined, insisting that only a full one-time settlement would satisfy them.
According to Ogamba, the government has already paid Sh4.3 billion as the first part of the 2021–2025 CBA and an additional Sh2.73 billion as the second part. He said the remaining Sh2.73 billion is set to be cleared in the coming financial year as originally planned.
On the older 2017–21 CBA dispute, Ogamba explained that while union officials originally put the arrears at Sh7.94 billion, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission gave a much lower figure of Sh624 million.
To settle the disagreement, the State commissioned an audit, which verified that the rightful balance owed is Sh7.76 billion.
Treasury later approved a phased settlement plan for the verified amount. The State first offered to pay the amount in three instalments but later revised this to two payments after further negotiation.
Despite this, unions declined the adjustment, holding firm that only immediate settlement of the entire amount would be acceptable.
“The government initially offered to pay the verified balance of Sh7.76 billion in three phases. In further compromise yesterday, the Government offered to pay the verified balance in two phases,” he said.
Ogamba expressed frustration at the rejection, saying it ignored clear goodwill by the government.
“This position is regrettable given that most of the concerns raised by the unions have been fully addressed, and a roadmap for addressing the remaining ones has been presented with obvious goodwill and compromises on the part of the Government,” he said.
He urged staff to put students first and resume duties to allow learning to restart, cautioning that prolonged disruption could set institutions back further.
“We therefore appeal to the university staff's sense of patriotism and duty of care to our students, that they resume work in their respective universities and allow opportunity for constructive negotiations towards a mutually acceptable and sustainable solution,” he said.
The Education CS directed the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum to continue engaging union officials under the Federation of Kenya Employers framework.
He also acknowledged the patience shown by students and encouraged them to hold on as discussions progress.
"We commend students across our public universities for their patience during this period. We urge them to remain patient as we work to ensure operations resume soon,” he added.
With both sides yet to reach a deal, it remains to be seen whether unions will soften their stance or extend the strike, leaving the future of learning in public universities uncertain.
