Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba has stated that the government owes striking university lecturers Sh624 million, contrary to their claim of Sh7.9 billion. Speaking before Parliament, Ogamba dismissed the strike, now in its fourth week, as illegal and urged unions to engage in dialogue to resolve the issue.
Ogamba clarified that while lecturers received Sh8.8 billion between 2020 and 2021 under the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the unions still claim Sh7.9 billion remains unpaid. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) disputes this, stating that Sh7.2 billion was already paid through salary increments.
The CS added that the strike was interdicted by the Employment and Labour Relations Court on September 18, 2025, and that negotiations for the 2025-2029 CBA are awaiting guidance from the SRC. He called for an audit of university payrolls to verify the disputed balance under the 2017-2021 CBA.
Ogamba clarified that while lecturers received Sh8.8 billion between 2020 and 2021 under the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the unions still claim Sh7.9 billion remains unpaid. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) disputes this, stating that Sh7.2 billion was already paid through salary increments.
The CS added that the strike was interdicted by the Employment and Labour Relations Court on September 18, 2025, and that negotiations for the 2025-2029 CBA are awaiting guidance from the SRC. He called for an audit of university payrolls to verify the disputed balance under the 2017-2021 CBA.
