Learning in public universities has ground to a halt for the seventh day as lecturers press on with their strike, now escalating the standoff into the courts by seeking the imprisonment of three Cabinet Secretaries over failure to honour salary agreements worth billions.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu), through lawyer Titus Koceyo, has filed a contempt case targeting Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Treasury CS John Mbadi and Labour CS Alfred Mutua.
Also cited in the case are Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Secretary Margaret Njoka, Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) chairperson Prof Fred Simiyu Barasa and secretary Prof Daniel Mugendi.
Koceyo told Justice Stephen Radido that the officials had ignored court orders requiring them to implement Phase II arrears of Sh2.73 billion under the 2021–2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and had further failed to comply with a 2020 ruling tied to the 2017–2021 CBA.
“The court directed the SRC to work together with the IPUCCF Implementation Committee, the Ministry of Education and the Treasury to provide the additional budgetary allocation necessary for the CBAs, but they have failed to comply,” he said.
Uasu argues that the government has also failed to engage on the 2025–2029 CBA despite a binding recognition agreement from 2019. The union wants the seven officials summoned to appear in court on October 6, 2025, to explain why they should not face punishment.
“That the alleged contemnors be punished for contempt of court by committal to civil jail for a period not exceeding six months, or be directed to pay a fine of Sh200,000 each, in accordance with the law,” Uasu states in its application.
Outside court, lecturers maintained they would not resume classes until the outstanding amounts are fully cleared. Uasu Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga said arrears from previous agreements, amounting to more than Sh7.9 billion, remain unsettled.
“We want nothing less than full payment. We have been patient for too long, but government promises have turned into endless delays,” Wasonga said on Wednesday when Uasu presented a petition to Parliament.
Lawmakers pledged to intervene in the dispute. Education Committee chair Julius Melly assured lecturers that Parliament would support their case.
“When two parties enter into a contract, they must honour it. We are going to meet with Uasu leaders so that we can discuss your grievances. As the Education Committee, we will pursue your demands as we have previously done,” he said.
Baringo MP Joseph Makilabu added, “We have heard the cry of children of Kenya who are not able to study because of a failed agreement. Once the petition is received, we will present it to the Education Committee and involve you in the process. This matter must be resolved once and for all.”
Education CS Julius Ogamba, however, warned lecturers to return to their duties, insisting there was a court order suspending the strike.
“Court orders are to be obeyed or else you will be in contempt. We have released Sh2.5 billion to address grievances raised, and all issues can be resolved without paralysing learning,” he said.
The government maintains Treasury has already disbursed Sh2.5 billion for Phase II of the 2021–2025 CBA. Lecturers insist that arrears from the 2017 agreement remain unpaid.
“The state has failed lecturers. Our arrears under the 2017 CBA remain unpaid despite a favourable court ruling,” UASU University of Nairobi Chapter Secretary Maloba Wekesa said.
The impact of the strike is also being felt among students, with growing frustration on campuses. At the Technical University of Mombasa, student leaders threatened to join the protest.
“First years just reported last week, but there are no classes. Parents are paying rent and fees for nothing. If the government does not pay lecturers, students will join the strike,” said TUM student president Joseph Oloo.
