CS Mbadi blames Education Ministry, SRC over lecturers’ strike, says gov’t already disbursed funds

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has dismissed claims that the Treasury is to blame for the ongoing lecturers’ strike, instead pointing fingers at the Ministry of Education and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Speaking during the Citizen Weekend show on Saturday night, Mbadi said the standoff stems from a lack of understanding between the two institutions, insisting that the Treasury had already fulfilled its part of the agreement reached last year.

He explained that the government had honoured the deal struck with universities by releasing Ksh 4.3 billion last year under Article 223, which was later regularised in the Supplementary Budget.

“In my view, the problem with the lecturers’ strike is not with the Treasury. The issue lies in the lack of understanding between the Ministry and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). That’s where it needs to be resolved,” said Mbadi.

“Last year, we entered into an agreement and allocated Ksh.4.3 billion as agreed. The funds were released under Article 223 and later regularised in the Supplementary Budget. For this financial year, we committed to release Ksh 2.7 billion, which we already disbursed at the beginning of the year — even though it was supposed to be spread out over the course of the year. We decided to release it in full.”

The Treasury CS also questioned the timing of the lecturers’ grievances, saying the arrears being referenced date back several years.

“I will also mention that the question of how much was actually owed is something I’ve only heard about — I don’t have the full facts. That matter lies with the Ministries of Education and Labour,” he said.

“From what I understand, there were amounts that were supposed to have been paid between 2017 and 2021. I don’t know what the lecturers were waiting for; if those payments were due in 2021 and were not made. I don’t understand why it has taken until 2025 for these concerns to be raised.”

Mbadi however, acknowledged that the issue remains a growing concern, saying the current administration must confront past financial obligations while working with line ministries to determine what is genuinely owed.

“This is one government — a government that is continuing — and we have to deal with the baggage of the past. Let them, however, agree with the Minister of Education on how much is actually owing to them.”

On capitation, the Treasury boss maintained that the government has been disbursing funds in full, following the agreed formula of 50 per cent, 30 per cent, and 20 per cent, but pointed out a persistent problem of underfunding that has existed for years.

He said, “ However, there has been a persistent question about underfunding of capitation, and I have spoken about this before. Sometimes when I raise the issue, I don’t know whether people fail to understand me or simply choose not to.”

Mbadi revealed that the government had identified that the full amount of capitation required has not been provided for nearly seven years, but said corrective measures are already underway under the President’s directive.

He added that the funds already in the budget are being released in full, and that efforts are ongoing to regularise the actual figures to end recurring complaints from school heads.

“The truth is, the full amount of capitation required has not been provided for about seven years. We identified this as a problem, and we are addressing it. The government is very clear on this — the President has given express instructions to me and the Minister for Education. We have already calculated and agreed on how much is actually needed, and that amount will be factored into the budget to ensure capitation is released in full and at optimal levels,” he said.