The CS said the government had already cleared arrears arising from the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 CBAs, arguing that lecturers should reciprocate the State's efforts by ending the industrial action.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has ordered striking public university lecturers to return to class immediately, setting up a fresh showdown with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) as the two sides remain divided over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Ogamba issued the directive on Monday, October 5, days after lecturers began a nationwide strike, telling UASU and individual lecturers to obey court orders and resume teaching while negotiations with the government continue.
The CS said the government had already cleared arrears arising from the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 CBAs, arguing that lecturers should reciprocate the State's efforts by ending the industrial action.
Ogamba said the government remained committed to concluding the 2025–2029 CBA and urged lecturers to put students' interests first.
The dispute centres on salary levels for the new agreement. Under UASU's proposal, the basic salary ceiling for a Graduate Assistant or Research Assistant would rise from Sh63,647 to Sh86,594, while an Assistant Lecturer or Tutorial Fellow would move from Sh107,872 to Sh146,761. A Lecturer or Research Fellow would see the ceiling rise from Sh121,928 to Sh165,884, and a Senior Lecturer or Research Fellow from Sh238,221 to Sh399,644. For an Associate Professor, the proposed ceiling is Sh262,824, up from Sh193,182, while a Professor's ceiling would rise from Sh345,816 to more than Sh580,000. Actual pay varies by grade and salary notch.
UASU argues that university academics have seen their purchasing power eroded while their responsibilities have expanded, and is pushing for significantly better remuneration. The government, on its part, says it must balance the demand against the public wage bill and university financing needs.
Ogamba maintains that the government has already addressed a major part of the historical dispute by clearing arrears under the two previous CBAs, which he says demonstrates good faith. However, the new CBA remains unresolved, with both sides yet to agree on remuneration, implementation timelines and a financing framework for the 2025–2029 period.
The strike has disrupted lectures, examinations, research supervision, clinical training and academic calendars at public universities across the country, affecting thousands of students.
UASU has indicated that lecturers remain prepared to continue the industrial action over what they consider an inadequate offer under the new deal, while the government insists it is working towards a negotiated settlement.
Ogamba's directive requires lecturers to return to class pending further negotiations between the government and the union. The National Treasury is expected to clarify the resources available for implementing the 2025–2029 agreement as talks continue.
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