President William Ruto finally speaks after lecturer’s strike enters day 3 disrupting learning across many public universities countrywide.

He noted that, Kenya’s public universities are making commendable progress in strengthening their role in teaching and training the country’s human capital, due to latest improved funding and reforms helping them run smoothly.

During the meeting with vice chancellors of various public universities at State House, Ruto highlighted how impactful the new funding model scheme has addressed financial challenges in higher education sector.

“With the new student-centred funding model providing more funds and budgetary allocation rising from KSh44 billion in 2022 to KSh82 billion in 2025-2026, the challenges of financing higher education are being dealt with,” said Ruto.

Ruto said 10 of the 23 public universities which was declared insolvent in 2022 have drastically improved their financial aspect.

Ruto urged also universities to diversify revenue streams to reduce overreliance on government funds adding that learning institutions collected Ksh 1 billion from income generating activities in the 2024/25 financial year.

“Already, 10 of the 23 universities that had been declared insolvent in 2022 have since improved their financial standing. Additionally, in the last financial year, the institutions of higher learning were able to raise KSh1 billion from incoming-generating activities,” Ruto said.

UASU Strike

According to The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) the government has failed to implement key provisions, including Sh2.73 billion in arrears from Phase Two of the 2021–2025 CBA, which was due in the 2025-26 financial year.

UASU also accused the government of ignoring court directives that ordered the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Ministry of Education, and the National Treasury to allocate funds for the CBAs.

“Our members cannot continue to work while their negotiated benefits remain outstanding. These arrears have left dons bankrupt, and we will not resume duty until they are paid, the strike was initiated because the government failed to implement Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), including paying Sh2.73 billion from the 2021–2025 CBA and Sh8.8 billion from the 2017–2021 CBA.” Said UASU Secretary-general Dr. Constantine Wasonga.

President Ruto hosts Vice- Chancellors at Statehouse amid strike in public universities. PHOTO/ RUTO FACEBOOK