The lecturers’ strike that has disrupted learning in public universities for nearly a month is expected to end soon, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has said.

Ogamba told the media on Monday, October 13, 2025, that the government and the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) are making progress in talks to resolve the dispute.

He explained that a ministry delegation has been engaging with the lecturers to work out how the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) can be implemented fairly for all parties.

Earlier, the CS had outlined the reasons behind the lecturers’ strike.

The discussions have also focused on the 2025–2029 CBA, where both sides are close to reaching an agreement.

Ogamba confirmed that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has agreed to pay Ksh7.2 billion to university lecturers, short of the Ksh7.9 billion the union had requested.

“The team and the universities were meeting over the weekend in Machakos to work out issues of the 2017–2021 CBA, while another team was negotiating the 2025–2029 CBA cycle, and we are hoping they will submit a report today to determine how much money is outstanding,” he said.

He added that the unions will submit a report to determine the outstanding amounts.

“As you are aware, the unions were demanding Ksh7.9 billion, but the SRC indicated that Ksh7.2 billion has been paid, leaving a balance of Ksh624 million. The teams met to review the documents and verify these facts, and they will submit a report today, after which we will be able to give the country a way forward.”

Also watch: lecturers urged to return to work.

Lecturers demand action

The strike began on September 17 and has stalled learning in public universities across the country. Several students’ unions have threatened to join the lecturers in protest if the government does not act quickly. University lecturers had vowed to continue their strike until the government releases the full Ksh7.9 billion owed under the 2017–2021 CBA.

Leaders from the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) said they will not return to work until both the outstanding payments and negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA are fully addressed, describing recent government meetings as public relations exercises rather than genuine negotiations.

‘We are marching for victory today on the issues we are fighting for. On the 2017–2021 CBA, our demand is clear — we want the full Ksh7.9 billion implemented, and we will negotiate for that CBA in total,” UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga said.

However, as Ogamba had stated earlier, university unions rejected the government’s latest offer, insisting on full payment of the Ksh7.9 billion owed under the 2017–2021 CBA.

Lecturers and staff walked out of Monday’s talks, describing the proposal as insufficient and insincere, and vowed to continue the strike until the government demonstrates real commitment.

“This is the message to the whole country: the strike will continue until lecturers receive the Ksh7.9 billion,” they stated.