Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba has said the government owes striking university lecturers Sh624 million, dismissing their claim of Sh7.9 billion.
Ogamba appeared before Parliament, maintaining that the ongoing industrial action, now in its fourth week, is illegal.
The CS said the ministry is open to dialogue with the unions to agree on how to settle the Sh624 million through what he termed objective discussions.
Ogamba told MPs that while lecturers claim to have received Sh8.8 billion between 2020 and 2021 following the signing of the 2017 to 2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), they insist that Sh7.9 billion remains unpaid.
However, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has disputed that figure.
“SRC has advised that Sh7.2 billion of the amount claimed by the unions was already paid through normal annual salary increments, leaving only Sh624 million outstanding. The difference in implementation is a matter we are ready to resolve amicably through objective discussions,” Ogamba said.
The dispute stems from the implementation of the 2017 to 2021 CBA. Ogamba said that under the 2021 to 2025 CBA, the government has already disbursed Sh9.76 billion in three tranches.
He added that the Employment and Labour Relations Court interdicted the strike on September 18, 2025, directing the parties to submit to conciliation.
“The strike is therefore unprotected,” he said.
According to the CS, the conciliator’s report dated September 30, 2025, confirmed that the implementation of the 2021 to 2025 CBA is up to date and that union members have received their dues.
“On the 2025 to 2029 CBA, the parties are waiting for negotiation beacons from SRC in line with its legal mandate. It is therefore premature to file a dispute on the 2025 to 2029 CBA. Universities have already invited unions to begin preliminary discussions as they await guidance from SRC,” Ogamba said.
Regarding the disputed balance under the 2017 to 2021 CBA, the CS said the parties and SRC should conduct an audit of university payrolls to determine how much has been paid and what remains due.
Ogamba told MPs that the conciliator’s report was presented in court on October 6, 2025, and that the court allowed the parties to meet on October 9 to address the pending issues related to the 2017 to 2021 CBA.
“It should be clear that most of the issues raised by the unions have been addressed. The 2021 to 2025 CBA is being implemented as agreed, and the government is ready to start negotiations for the 2025 to 2029 CBA. The issue of the balance under the 2017 to 2021 CBA requires objective verification to establish what is actually owed, and the government is committed to this process,” Ogamba said.
His remarks came shortly after lecturers vowed to continue their strike, which has paralysed learning in public universities for three weeks, until their demands are met.
