Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has urged the government to move swiftly and resolve the nationwide lecturers’ strike that has paralysed university learning for three weeks.
In a statement on Wednesday, Owino faulted the state for failing to honour collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) signed with lecturers, saying the crisis was both unnecessary and damaging to the country’s future.
“Education is not a political token. It is a right and Kenya’s backbone. Systemic funding is not optional; it is urgent,” he said, insisting that the government must ring-fence education funding and adopt predictable, transparent financing models.
The MP described the stalemate as “one of the worst in years,” with ripple effects ranging from stalled research to delayed graduations and thousands of students stranded mid-semester.
At the centre of the dispute, he noted, is chronic underfunding and unpaid arrears owed to lecturers Sh7.9 billion from the 2017–2021 CBA and Sh2.73 billion from phase II of the 2021–2025 CBA.
While acknowledging the Treasury’s recent release of Sh2.5 billion, Owino dismissed it as inadequate.
“Despite releasing Sh2.5 billion, the damage is done. Students risk losing a semester, research has stalled, graduations delayed, and dreams postponed,” he warned.
The legislator appealed for urgent intervention to restore normalcy and safeguard the future of learners.
“Let’s build a great future for all Kenyans,” he said.
