University lecturers insist on striking despite govt releasing Ksh2.5B
By William Muthama, September 17, 2025University lecturers have vowed not to call off their strike until the government clears all arrears owed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Maloba Wekesa, UASU-UoN Chapter Secretary, said the partial release of Ksh2.5 billion is insufficient.
“We are owed Ksh7.9 billion for the 2017–2021 CBA. This Ksh2.5 billion is not enough. Until full payment is made, we will continue our industrial action,” he said.
Partial payment rejected
The lecturers’ stand comes after Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed in a letter that the National Treasury had released Ksh 2.5 billion for phase two of the 2021–2025 CBA.
The ministry also urged the union to withdraw the strike notice dated September 10, citing the government’s commitment to honouring all negotiated obligations.
Elsewhere, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has claimed that President William Ruto has destroyed the country’s education system.
Wekesa dismissed the release as inadequate, citing repeated delays by successive governments.
“Every time a CBA is signed, it is only in arrears. Phase one was paid last year, but we are still waiting for the full settlement. The government just gives us a plate of food while we remain hungry,” he said.
He stressed that the strike followed due process. “It’s not as if we wake up one day and decide to strike. There is a process. We registered disputes and tried to resolve matters amicably, and still, no full payment came through. We are left with no choice,” Wekesa said.
The ongoing strike has disrupted academic programmes across public universities. While the government claims it plans to settle arrears in phases, lecturers insist partial payments cannot replace full compliance with the CBA agreements.
This strike comes after the Moi University lecturers downed their tools demanding the university respect the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement and release about Ksh5 billion in pension contributions, which they say has left many retired staff without benefits.
Funding delays continue
Wekesa also criticised the slow pace of fund disbursement, highlighting that promises from officials often do not translate into immediate action.
“We were given a week to wait. Yet, as of yesterday, the funds had not reached our accounts. We will not relent until our dues are fully cleared,” he said, referring to the letter dated September 16, 2025.