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The National Treasury has approved a Sh7.76 billion payment plan to clear outstanding salary arrears owed to public university staff, signalling a possible breakthrough in the nationwide strike that has crippled learning for more than a month.
In a letter dated October 30, 2025, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi authorised the phased settlement of the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) arrears in three instalments over three financial years.
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Under the plan, Sh2.16 billion will be paid in the current financial year (2025/26), followed by Sh2.8 billion in 2026/27 and 2027/28 respectively. Mbadi noted that the first tranche will come from a Sh23.6 billion supplementary allocation to the Ministry of Education.
“We appreciate the tight fiscal space within which we are operating and recognise that the ongoing strike has nearly paralysed learning in public universities,” Mbadi stated in a letter to the Higher Education Principal Secretary.
The Treasury’s approval follows increasing pressure on the government to end the strike by lecturers and non-teaching staff, which has halted academic activities across all public universities.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba earlier said that most of the unions’ demands had already been met, including the release of Sh7.03 billion out of the Sh9.76 billion owed under the 2021–2025 CBA. He added that the remaining Sh2.73 billion would be paid in the next financial year.
“Following a joint verification process, the outstanding amount for the 2017–2021 CBA was confirmed at Sh7.76 billion. Although the government initially proposed three instalments, it later agreed to pay in two phases,” Ogamba said in a Thursday statement.
However, union leaders rejected the new offer, demanding that the government pay the full amount in one lump sum.
“This stance is unfortunate, given that most concerns have been addressed. I urge all staff to return to work and allow space for constructive dialogue,” Ogamba appealed.
The Education CS also urged university staff to act with patriotism and consider the plight of students whose studies have been severely disrupted.
The Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) has been tasked with continuing negotiations to reach a lasting settlement.
Now in its sixth week, the strike has stalled lectures and examinations in all 39 public universities, with student leaders warning of lasting academic setbacks if the impasse continues.
