Kenyan lawmakers have taken a firm stance in addressing the government’s failure to deliver on a Sh4.3 billion promise made to lecturers, aimed at ending the month-long strike in public universities. The National Assembly’s Education Committee, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, has raised serious concerns over the government’s reluctance to put its offer in writing, despite the promise being made more than a month ago.
The saga began on September 28 when the government, through the Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime, offered the Sh4.3 billion as part of an effort to resolve the ongoing industrial action by university staff. The strike, led by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and supported by other unions, has paralyzed operations in public universities, leaving thousands of students stranded at home.
During the Education Committee’s meeting, MPs expressed frustration with the lack of documentation regarding the offer. The government’s verbal commitment was seen as insufficient, with the MPs stressing that a commitment of such magnitude must be formalized in writing to be taken seriously.
Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara, one of the committee members, underscored the importance of formalizing the government’s promise, stating, “Sh4.3 billion is not pocket money, it cannot be communicated verbally. What we are asking for is a letter committing the government to this offer.” Her sentiments were echoed by Kibra MP Peter Orero, who pointed out the government’s lack of transparency in the matter. “We cannot come here thrice talking about commitments from the Treasury… the issue is that you are unable to get us the document,” he said.
The crux of the matter lies in the non-implementation of the return-to-work formula in the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). University staff had agreed to return to work under the assumption that the government would honor its financial commitments. However, as of now, the promised Sh4.3 billion has yet to materialize, leading to continued disruptions in academic activities.
The Education Committee, growing increasingly impatient with the lack of progress, has now summoned National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to explain why the government has not formalized its commitment. “On Tuesday next week, we shall have here CSs for National Treasury, Labour and Education to explain this issue,” Melly announced, signaling the committee’s resolve to get to the bottom of the matter.
A letter presented to the committee by Prof. Fred Simiyu, Chairman of the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), highlighted the government’s continued failure to provide a commitment letter from the Treasury. According to the letter from Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyagangala, dated November 6, the Treasury had been successfully engaged during negotiations regarding the allocation of Sh4.3 billion, but had yet to provide the formal commitment needed to end the strike.
UASU’s Secretary-General, Constantine Wesonga, has expressed frustration with the situation, labeling the government’s offer as “hearsay.” Wesonga reiterated that the industrial action would continue until the government makes a formal commitment to the agreed sum. “The industrial action will continue until we receive a formal commitment letter from the Treasury,” he declared.
As the standoff continues, students across public universities are the ones bearing the brunt, unable to pursue their studies while negotiations drag on. The Education Committee’s decision to summon CS Mbadi and other key officials next week underscores the urgency of resolving the matter, as both the MPs and the lecturers seek clarity on the government’s intentions and its commitment to ending the strike.
The prolonged strike and failure to reach a resolution highlight ongoing frustrations within the education sector, where the lack of financial transparency continues to be a significant barrier to resolving labor disputes. With the academic calendar in jeopardy, stakeholders are hopeful that the government will take concrete steps to address the issue and ensure that the promise made to university staff is fulfilled without further delay.
