On October 5, 2026, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba addressed university lecturers during World Teachers' Day celebrations at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. He directed striking lecturers to abandon their industrial action and return to work, declaring that all outstanding salary arrears owed under previous collective bargaining agreements have been settled in full. Ogamba made the announcement in the presence of President William Ruto.
The lecturers' strike was launched on October 2, 2026, by three university staff unions: the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA). The unions rejected an inadequate counter-offer from the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF). UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga had issued the strike notice on September 24, citing prolonged delays in resolving CBA-related issues.
Ogamba stated that the government had honoured its financial obligations to university staff, clearing arrears tied to both the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 CBAs. He said, \"As we speak today, all arrears under the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 CBA have been fully cleared. We have resolved the problems of the historical arrears under the CBAs.\" The Cabinet Secretary pledged that the same commitment would extend to future agreements, specifically citing the 2025–2029 CBA currently under dispute.
Ogamba urged all university staff unions and individual lecturers to act in good faith, obey court orders, and return to work. He added, \"I therefore call upon all the university staff unions and individual lecturers to reciprocate this good faith, obey court orders, and return to work. Let us not interrupt the education of our children or students over matters that the government has demonstrated that it is ready and willing to resolve at the negotiating table.\"
The unions had raised concerns that the proposed salary increases fall short of inflation, while their demands are substantially higher than the offer. They also rejected the proposed medical benefits, deeming them inferior to those of civil servants, and accused employers of failing to recruit enough academic staff despite surging student enrollment in public universities.
Ogamba congratulated and extended warm wishes to all instructors as they marked World Teachers Day 2026. The event was attended by President William Ruto, who was also present at the celebrations. The Cabinet Secretary's message aimed to encourage lecturers to return to work and engage in negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA.
The government has demonstrated its commitment to resolving the issues raised by the lecturers. With the outstanding arrears cleared, the stage is set for further negotiations between the government and the university staff unions. Key issues to be addressed include salary increases, medical benefits, and recruitment of academic staff.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has cleared all outstanding salary arrears owed to university lecturers under previous collective bargaining agreements.
- University lecturers had gone on strike on October 2, 2026, over a disputed collective bargaining agreement for the 2025–2029 period.
- The government has urged lecturers to return to work and engage in negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA.
