University Students Left in Limbo as Funding Talks to End Lecturers’ Strike Stall Yet Again

File image of university lecturers during a past strike

University students across the country will remain out of class following another unsuccessful attempt to resolve the ongoing lecturers’ strike. 

Efforts faltered yet again on Tuesday, November 12 after the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) failed to present documentation verifying the availability of Ksh. 4.3 billion in government funds intended to reopen universities.

The National Assembly Committee on Education, seeking a swift resolution, summoned three Cabinet Secretaries including Education CS Julius Ogamba, Labour CS Alfred Mutua, and National Treasury CS John Mbadi, to address this funding issue. 

Committee Chairman Julius Melly announced that the three officials are expected to appear next week to clarify government commitments to ending the strike.

During a committee meeting attended by representatives from the IPUCCF and the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), IPUCCF Chairman Fred Simiyu Baraza disclosed that the council could only offer Ksh. 1.6 billion.

Education CS Julius Ogamba

“What we had available as a council was Ksh. 1.6 billion, but when UASU walked out on us, they went to the inter-ministerial committee, and that’s where the figure of Ksh. 4.3 billion was raised,” Baraza explained.

This offer was firmly rejected by UASU, which demands Ksh. 9.6 billion to implement a "Back to Work" formula.

Baraza explained that although the inter-ministerial committee had discussed a Ksh. 4.3 billion figure, his council was not authorized to provide commitment letters confirming that amount. 

This response prompted frustration among committee members, including Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu and Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, who emphasized that financial commitments from government agencies require official documentation.

Frustrated by the IPUCCF's lack of documentation, Chairman Melly adjourned the meeting. 

The three Cabinet Secretaries will now face the committee on November 19, where they are expected to provide clarity on the government's financial plan for ending the lecturers’ strike and reopening universities.

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