By Tony Wafula
Learning at Kibabii University in Bungoma County has been paralysed after lecturers staged peaceful demonstrations on Wednesday, demanding that the government fulfil its financial obligations under the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The lecturers, who downed tools, accused the government of deliberately ignoring their grievances despite repeated appeals for dialogue. The strike comes at a critical point in the academic calendar, threatening to derail the progress of thousands of students currently enrolled in various programs at the institution.
Addressing journalists at the university, Augustine Ngome, Chairman of the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) Kibabii Chapter, expressed frustration at the government’s failure to implement the full terms of the CBA. Ngome lamented that lecturers had been pushed to the wall by unfulfilled promises, insisting they would not resume teaching until their demands were met.
“Phase II of this CBA has not been fully implemented and that is what has occasioned us to be here. A total of Sh2.5 billion is yet to be released. We are urging the government to act immediately so that learning can continue,” Ngome said.
He further faulted the government for what he described as a “deaf ear” approach to the plight of university staff, noting that the strike was the last resort after exhausting all avenues of dialogue. His sentiments were echoed by Dr Makarios Wanjala, Chairperson of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) at Kibabii University, who castigated the government for dishonesty and delays.
“Just last night we received communication that money had been released. Why do you only send money when you see a strike notice? We have been waiting for negotiations on the 2025–2029 CBA, yet nothing has started,” Dr Wanjala said.
He argued that lecturers, like other workers, deserve dignity and respect, emphasizing that the government should stop treating them as if they were beggars. “Dons don’t eat promissory notes and lies. Unless our dues are cleared, we will not go back to class. If this is not resolved, we shall paralyse learning activities in all universities across the country,” Dr Wanjala warned.
Beyond salary arrears, union leaders revealed that the government has consistently failed to remit medical funds, exposing lecturers and their families to untold suffering whenever they fall ill. According to them, many lecturers are unable to access quality healthcare despite statutory deductions being made from their pay slips.
The strike at Kibabii University mirrors similar frustrations in other public universities, where staff have long decried salary delays, inadequate funding, and stalled CBAs. The 2021–2025 CBA was designed to improve the welfare of lecturers through better salaries, allowances, and medical cover. However, union officials argue that its implementation has been selective and incomplete, leaving staff members demoralised.
