The Ministry of Education has been put on the spot over persistent university strikes that have continued to disrupt learning across public universities.
Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research Dr Beatrice Inyangala was on Thursday, October 22, 2026, hard-pressed to explain what long-term measures the government is putting in place to end the perennial industrial action by lecturers.
Dr Inyangala appeared before the Public Accounts Committee at Bunge Towers in Nairobi, where she told MPs that the government has been in talks with university unions since last year to address their grievances.
“Some of the issues the dons have raised are under parallel discussion with the Public Service Commission. We are negotiating with all stakeholders, including the unions, and we will resolve this matter soon,” she said.
The Committee chaired by Butere MP Tindi Mwale raised concern that the recurrent strikes have not only paralysed learning but also placed an additional financial burden on students and parents who are forced to stay longer in university. Dr Inyangala assured the Committee that the government remains committed to dialogue.
Ministry of Education on the spot over acting VCs
The PS appeared before the Committee alongside Acting Moi University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kiplagat Kotut, Cooperative University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kamau Ngamau, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology Vice-Chancellor Prof. Emily Akuno to respond to issues raised in the Auditor-General’s reports for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Besides the strikes, MPs also questioned the Ministry over delays in appointing substantive vice-chancellors and other top university administrators.
MP Mwale noted that continued acting appointments undermine effective leadership, as officers serving in acting capacities may be reluctant to make bold decisions.
“The issue of acting vice-chancellors and other top university officials is a very uncomfortable subject. What is the Ministry doing to address this matter?” he posed.
In response, Dr Inyangala said the Ministry is working with university councils to fast-track substantive appointments.
“By the end of the current academic year, in June 2027, we hope to have settled the matter once and for all,” she said.
