Journal IJCRT UGC-CARE, UGCCARE( ISSN: 2320-2882 ) | UGC Approved Journal | UGC Journal | UGC CARE Journal | UGC-CARE list, New UGC-CARE Reference List, UGC CARE Journals, International Peer Reviewed Journal and Refereed Journal, ugc approved journal, UGC CARE, UGC CARE list, UGC CARE list of Journal, UGCCARE, care journal list, UGC-CARE list, New UGC-CARE Reference List, New ugc care journal list, Research Journal, Research Journal Publication, Research Paper, Low cost research journal, Free of cost paper publication in Research Journal, High impact factor journal, Journal, Research paper journal, UGC CARE journal, UGC CARE Journals, ugc care list of journal, ugc approved list, ugc approved list of journal, Follow ugc approved journal, UGC CARE Journal, ugc approved list of journal, ugc care journal, UGC CARE list, UGC-CARE, care journal, UGC-CARE list, Journal publication, ISSN approved, Research journal, research paper, research paper publication, research journal publication, high impact factor, free publication, index journal, publish paper, publish Research paper, low cost publication, ugc approved journal, UGC CARE, ugc approved list of journal, ugc care journal, UGC CARE list, UGCCARE, care journal, UGC-CARE list, New UGC-CARE Reference List, UGC CARE Journals, ugc care list of journal, ugc care list 2020, ugc care approved journal, ugc care list 2020, new ugc approved journal in 2020, ugc care list 2021, ugc approved journal in 2021, Scopus, web of Science.
How start New Journal & software Book & Thesis Publications
Submit Your Paper
Login to Author Home
Communication Guidelines

WhatsApp Contact
Click Here

  Published Paper Details:

  Paper Title

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) In Resolving Lecturers' Strikes: A Policy Perspective from Kenya

  Authors

  Dr. Samwel Nyagucha Oresi

  Keywords

Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) A legally binding contract negotiated between an employer and a trade union representing employees. It outlines agreed terms of employment such as wages, allowances, working conditions, and dispute resolution mechanisms. In Kenya, CBAs are recognized under the Labour Relations Act and are enforceable once registered with the Employment and Labour Relations Court. Enforcement The process of ensuring compliance with the terms of CBAs through legal, administrat

  Abstract


This study investigates the dynamic relationship between Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), funding mechanisms, and political influence in Kenya's public sector between 2021 and 2025. CBAs have become central to industrial relations in Kenya, particularly in education, health, and civil service, where unions exert significant bargaining power. The research problem addressed is the persistent gap between negotiated agreements and their enforcement, often shaped by fiscal constraints and political cycles. By examining how funding allocations and political considerations affect the implementation of CBAs, the study contributes to understanding the sustainability of labour relations in Kenya's evolving governance context. The study adopted a qualitative research design anchored in documentary analysis. Data were collected from government budget policy statements, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) circulars, Ministry of Public Service reports, parliamentary Hansards, and union press releases (KNUT, KUPPET, UASU, KMPDU). Secondary sources included academic articles and media coverage of industrial disputes. A thematic analysis approach was employed to identify recurring patterns in CBA funding, enforcement, and political influence. Case studies from the education, health, and university sectors provided sector-specific insights, while triangulation enhanced validity and reliability of findings. The study reveals that CBA enforcement in Kenya is uneven across sectors. Teachers and civil servants benefited from relatively higher allocations, with the 2021-2025 teacher CBA receiving KSh 83 billion, while university staff secured KSh 13.8 billion in 2022 after prolonged negotiations. Health workers' CBAs were partially enforced, with risk allowances implemented but salary adjustments delayed due to fiscal constraints. Funding commitments were frequently politically motivated, with governments making concessions during election cycles or under union pressure to avert strikes. Inflation and currency depreciation eroded the real value of negotiated increments, undermining the intended benefits. Enforcement mechanisms were weak, with phased disbursements and delayed Treasury releases fueling industrial unrest. Strikes remained a recurrent outcome, particularly in the health and education sectors, highlighting the fragility of Kenya's industrial relations system. To achieve sustainable CBA funding and enforcement, the study proposes several measures. First, integration of CBA obligations into the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) would ensure predictable and transparent budgetary allocations. Second, a centralized negotiation framework should be established to harmonize CBAs across unions, reducing fragmentation and duplication of demands. Third, inflation-indexed increments should be introduced to safeguard workers' earnings against economic shocks. Fourth, performance-based funding models could link portions of CBA resources to measurable service delivery outcomes, particularly in education and health. Fifth, enhanced transparency and accountability through annual public reporting of CBA commitments and disbursements would build trust between government and unions. Finally, the study recommends depoliticizing CBA negotiations by anchoring them in fiscal discipline and institutional frameworks rather than electoral cycles, thereby promoting industrial harmony and strengthening public service delivery. The findings underscore that CBAs in Kenya are not merely labour instruments but are deeply intertwined with fiscal policy and political strategy. Sustainable funding and enforcement require a shift from ad hoc, politically driven commitments to structured, transparent, and economically grounded frameworks. By addressing fiscal constraints, harmonizing negotiations, and insulating CBAs from political manipulation, Kenya can enhance industrial stability, protect workers' rights, and improve the efficiency of public sector service delivery.

  IJCRT's Publication Details

  Unique Identification Number - IJCRT21X0375

  Paper ID - 298999

  Page Number(s) - u639-u692

  Pubished in - Volume 13 | Issue 12 | December 2025

  DOI (Digital Object Identifier) -   

  Publisher Name - IJCRT | www.ijcrt.org | ISSN : 2320-2882

  E-ISSN Number - 2320-2882

  Cite this article

  Dr. Samwel Nyagucha Oresi,   "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) In Resolving Lecturers' Strikes: A Policy Perspective from Kenya", International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (IJCRT), ISSN:2320-2882, Volume.13, Issue 12, pp.u639-u692, December 2025, Available at :http://www.ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT21X0375.pdf

  Share this article

  Article Preview

  Indexing Partners

indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
Call For Paper December 2025
Indexing Partner
ISSN and 7.97 Impact Factor Details


ISSN
ISSN
ISSN: 2320-2882
Impact Factor: 7.97 and ISSN APPROVED
Journal Starting Year (ESTD) : 2013
ISSN
ISSN and 7.97 Impact Factor Details


ISSN
ISSN
ISSN: 2320-2882
Impact Factor: 7.97 and ISSN APPROVED
Journal Starting Year (ESTD) : 2013
ISSN
DOI Details

Providing A digital object identifier by DOI.org How to get DOI?
For Reviewer /Referral (RMS) Earn 500 per paper
Our Social Link
Open Access
This material is Open Knowledge
This material is Open Data
This material is Open Content
Indexing Partner

Scholarly open access journals, Peer-reviewed, and Refereed Journals, Impact factor 7.97 (Calculate by google scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool) , Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Indexing in all major database & Metadata, Citation Generator, Digital Object Identifier(DOI)

indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer
indexer