Public universities are bracing for further disruption as lecturers escalate their salary war to the courts. The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) has sued key state officials, demanding their imprisonment over failure to honor salary agreements.
Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba, Treasury CS John Mbadi, Labour CS Alfred Mutua, Attorney-General Dorcas Oduor, and Salaries and Remuneration Commission Secretary Margaret Njoka are among those listed as contemnors. Also cited are IPUCCF leaders Prof Fred Barasa and Prof Daniel Mugendi.
Uasu lawyer Titus Koceyo told the Employment and Labour Relations Court that the officials failed to implement Phase II of the 2021–2025 CBA worth Sh2.73 billion, alongside arrears from the earlier 2017–2021 deal. The court had already directed that necessary budget allocations be made, but the orders were ignored.
The union now seeks a six-month jail term or fines for the officials, arguing that their defiance has fueled the lecturers’ nationwide strike. Since September 17, learning has been crippled across public universities, with no resolution in sight.
At the heart of the dispute is whether the government has fully honored past CBAs while negotiating new ones. Uasu claims that while Phase I of the current CBA was settled in January 2025, the second and third phases remain unpaid.
Furthermore, Uasu is pressing for a comprehensive 2025–2029 CBA proposing improved allowances, ICT facilitation, book grants, expanded retirement benefits, and an extended retirement age of 74 years.
In a sworn affidavit, Uasu Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga dismissed recent government claims that funds have been released, accusing the IPUCCF of concealing facts to derail the strike. He insisted the industrial action would only end once the union’s demands were fully met.
Justice Radido is expected to hear the contempt petition on October 6, setting the stage for a major courtroom showdown between Uasu and the government.
