A meeting between Vice Chancellors, University Academic Staff Union officials, and MPs from the National Assembly’s Education Committee ended without a resolution amid mounting concerns over the ongoing lecturers’ strike, now in its third week.
The session stalled when the Vice Chancellors failed to present proof that the government would release the promised KSh 4.3 billion to resolve the salary dispute, with the committee finding no substantial evidence of the government’s funding commitment.
Frustrated by the lack of progress, the committee, led by Chair Julius Melly, summoned Education CS Julius Magoha, Labour CS Alfred Mutua, and National Treasury CS John Mbadi to appear on 19th November to clarify government efforts to end the strike.
At the meeting, the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) Chair Fred Simiyu Baraza disclosed that only KSh 1.6 billion had been secured—well below the KSh 9.6 billion needed for the “Back to Work” formula, which was promptly rejected by union representatives.
Chairman Melly concluded the meeting, demanding that Vice Chancellors provide clearer evidence in the next session and that the Cabinet Secretaries address members’ concerns on the stalled strike resolution.