Government moves to restore learning in universities after 49-day strike

Education CS Julius Migos, UASU SG Constantine Wasonga, KUSU counterpart Charles Mukhwana and Higher education CS Beatrice Inyangala during the signing of return to work formula in Nairobi on November 5th 2025. (Collins Oduor, Standard) The government has unveiled a raft of interventions aimed at restoring normal learning in public universities after 49 days of industrial action that left thousands of students stranded and disrupted academic calendars across the country. The prolonged strike by university lecturers and non-teaching staff not only affected lectures and examinations but also delayed graduations, disrupted attachments, and strained parents and students financially. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said plans are underway to cushion students and universities from the effects of the prolonged closure. He said the ministry had instructed institutions to implement academic recovery measures and financial safeguards while also addressing the underlying labour dispute with university staff unions. "To safeguard students from the adverse effects of the industrial action, we will institute several interventions," said Ogamba. The Ministry of Education maintains that the priority is to ensure no student is left academically or financially disadvantaged. "Universities have been tasked with implementing recovery plans and ensuring graduations and examinations proceed as scheduled," he said. This emerged as Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda raised the matter in Parliament, demanding to know what measures the Ministry of Education had put in place to mitigate learning losses and safeguard students' welfare. "Parents and students are deeply worried. Rent, upkeep, and academic progress have all been affected. Some students were due to graduate but now remain uncertain about when they will complete their studies," said Lesuuda. The committee chair Tinderet MP Julius Melly said the Committee's priority was to ensure learning in universities continues uninterrupted while safeguarding lecturers' welfare. "We must find a lasting solution to this matter. Students cannot continue to suffer every time a strike is called. We are ready to facilitate dialogue and push for an implementable payment plan," said Melly. Melly urged both the Ministry and the unions to conclude the ongoing negotiations before the end of the year, emphasizing that the Committee will monitor progress closely. "This Committee wants universities to resume functioning. The Treasury, Education Ministry, and unions must act within the agreed timelines," he said. Ogamba announced that universities will adjust their academic calendars to recover lost teaching time through compressed semesters, weekend and evening classes, and blended virtual learning. The ministry further directed that students will not bear additional costs for extended semesters caused by the strike. "We have directed universities not to levy extra charges on students for the extended period. The Higher Education Loans Board will continue disbursements uninterrupted to cushion students financially," Ogamba assured. The CS further said the Commission for University Education (CUE) has issued flexible guidelines to ensure academic quality and credit integrity are maintained despite the condensed timelines. Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) Secretary-General Dr. Charles Mukhwaya said that academic staff were ready to make up for lost time once learning resumes. "The moment we get back to class, we will do our best. Any time lost will be recovered, even if it means having evening or weekend classes and eating into holidays," said Mukhwaya. He acknowledged that the disruption may affect the quality of learning and practical schedules such as teaching practice and internships but maintained that the content and academic standards would still be met. "It may take a little longer and become more expensive for parents, but once the required teaching hours and practical sessions are covered, there is no problem with the quality of education," he said. Last week, Universities Fund CEO Edwin Wanyonyi indicated that students who overstay in university will have to bear the cost of his or her education. "Anywhere world over, we don't joke about scholarships. Unless specifically on medical grounds, if you fail and resit four exams, you are on your own. In the Student Funded Model, we don't follow students in a group but as a student. We expect an undergraduate student to take four years," he said. The message sent a cold shiver in the spine of many students whose lives are in line of prolonged strikes following standoff between the government and lecturers. But for thousands of students whose academic learning has been on hold for nearly two months, the reopening of campuses marks a return to hope. "There is light at the end of the tunnel. I hope we will catch up and be able to graduate this year," said Moses Mutua, fourth year at the University of Nairobi. Yet, National Parents Association chairman Silas Obuhatsa warns, the test of the government's commitment will be in ensuring that the underlying causes of frequent university strikes are resolved once and for all. "Does it mean lecturers have to take to the streets so that the issues affecting them can be addressed? We pay rent, fees as well as upkeep for our children but in return the quality of education is wanting," he said. Lesuuda also sought clarification on what long-term measures the government is taking to end recurrent strikes that have plagued public universities in recent years. Ogamba said the industrial action, which began in September 2025, involved three unions was prompted by disputes over delayed payments of arrears from the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), stalled negotiations for the 2025-2029 CBA, and concerns over the full implementation of the 2017-2021 agreements. He confirmed that the government had already disbursed all pending payments under the 2021-2025 CBA, totaling Sh7.03 billion. This includes Sh4.3 billion paid between October 2024 and June 2025, and Sh2.73 billion disbursed between July and September 2025 funds that were at the centre of the strike. The remaining tranche, also amounting to Sh2.73 billion, will be paid in the next financial year (2026/2027) as scheduled. "Negotiations for the 2025-2029 CBA are ongoing, guided by beacons issued by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission. Universities, through the Inter-Public Universities Councils' Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), have submitted cost counter-offers aligned to prevailing inflation trends and fiscal sustainability," Ogamba explained. The CS added that the government has embraced court-guided conciliation to resolve the disputes amicably. The Employment and Labour Relations Court had interdicted the strike in September and directed all parties to engage in dialogue under the supervision of the Ministry of Labour. However, Mukhwaya placed part of the blame for the crisis on university vice-chancellors, accusing them of poor leadership and failure to stand up for the interests of their institutions. "Those appointed to run these institutions know which side of the bread is buttered. They are more concerned about retaining their positions than telling the government the truth," he said. He argued that the government has been listening too much to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) and university managements while sidelining key stakeholders such as the unions. "Leadership is lacking in our institutions. The previous VCs were bold and could confront issues head-on. Today, most are silent, and that silence is part of the problem," he added.

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