The government is running against time to end the ongoing strike by university lecturers and staff, with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba indicating that he was optimistic that they would sign an agreement as early as next week.
Speaking on Friday during the opening of the national examinations season, Ogamba announced that the government had formally invited the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to facilitate the negotiations for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Fresh talks are scheduled to begin on October 6, and Ogamba called on all the stakeholders to approach the negotiations in goodwill in an attempt to break the weeks-long deadlock that has grounded learning in public universities.
“I want to assure the university staff that their concerns are being addressed, and we’re working within the timelines agreed upon,” the CS said, while urging striking lecturers to return to work as discussions continue.
He explained that the SRC has already issued the guiding framework for the upcoming negotiations. The Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) had convened sessions in September, but the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) had not turned up for the initial meetings.
“They have since indicated that they are ready to participate in subsequent negotiations, provided the guidelines of the SRC are in place,” Ogamba said.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) has complied with a court order suspending the strike, and has also expressed its willingness to continue with the talks.
Ogamba called on all the university staff and lecturers to put the interests of the students first, and promised that the government is willing to do its part as soon as there is a clear way of doing it.
With the strike set to enter its third week, the government appears to be exhausting all options to resolve the crisis. Earlier in the week, Ogamba had confirmed that the matter would now be headed to court and that both parties were set to appear before a judge on October 6 in a bid to break the deadlock.
In July, the CS ordered university staff back to work with immediate effect, or else face disciplinary action, including contempt of court.
The lecturers have, however, remained adamant, demanding that the government settle outstanding amounts including KSh7.9 billion under the 2017 and 2021 CBAs, as well as a part of what is owed under the 2021–2025 agreement.
