By Njoroge David

Public universities owe teaching and non-teaching staff Sh7.7 billion in unpaid salary arrears after the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) used flawed conversion factors to implement the 2017–2021 collective bargaining agreement, a technical report has revealed.

The inter-agency committee appointed by the Ministry of Education found that SRC’s miscalculations understated wage arrears by billions, leaving thousands of employees unpaid despite multiple court orders directing full implementation of the deal.

“The committee established that SRC used erroneous conversion factors, which resulted in underpayment of salary arrears,” reads the report presented to the ministry on October 13.

The dispute has dragged on for years between universities and staff unions, including the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA).

In July 2021, the Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled in favour of the unions, directing the government to pay all arrears in line with the agreed structure.

The Court of Appeal upheld the decision in April 2025, rejecting SRC’s argument that the pay rise breached the public wage policy.

The committee noted that universities have settled Sh5.2 billion, leaving Sh7.7 billion still outstanding.

“SRC must revise its computation to reflect the court-ordered salary structure,” said UASU National Secretary Constantine Wasonga.

Wasonga warned that the delayed payments continue to erode morale and disrupt university operations. “We are only asking the government to comply with lawful court orders,” said Wasonga.

Principal Secretary for Higher Education Beatrice Inyangala observed that the government is reviewing the report and will consult the National Treasury on the next steps.

Unions have accused SRC and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum of delaying compliance, even after a ministry-appointed conciliator recommended a joint audit to verify the arrears before Treasury disburses funds.

Universities have warned of renewed strikes if the arrears are not cleared by year-end.