Government Clears Sh3.9bn in Lecturers’ Arrears, Second Tranche Set for July 2026
Education Updated: 19 December 2025 12:53 EAT
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba
The Government of Kenya has cleared Sh3.9 billion in arrears owed to university lecturers under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which had previously triggered a 49-day strike across public universities. The settlement marks a major step in resolving the long-standing financial dispute between the state and lecturers’ unions.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba confirmed the disbursement of the first tranche, describing it as a significant milestone in fulfilling obligations under the CBA. The arrears had accumulated over several years due to delayed negotiations and administrative challenges, prompting industrial action that disrupted academic schedules.
CS Ogamba stated that the arrears would be paid in two tranches, with the second installment of Sh3.9 billion scheduled for July 2026. The phased payment approach was agreed upon by both the government and union representatives to ensure full settlement while managing fiscal constraints.
The disbursement follows a broader Return-to-Work Formula, which also addressed other financial and operational concerns, allowing universities to resume normal academic operations. The government has urged lecturers and union leaders to maintain constructive dialogue to prevent future disputes.
The move has been welcomed by stakeholders in the higher education sector, who have long called for the full settlement of arrears. Officials say the payment will restore trust, stabilize university operations, and ensure that lecturers receive the compensation they were legally entitled to under the CBA.
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FELIX MAKONA
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