Ogamba Orders University Lecturers to End Strike and Return to Work
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has directed university lecturers to end their strike, which began on Friday, October 2, and return to work immediately.
Speaking during the World Teachers Day celebrations on Monday, October 5, Ogamba said the government had met most of the lecturers’ demands and urged them to reciprocate by returning to work.
Arrears Cleared
According to Ogamba, the Ministry of Education has cleared arrears arising from previous Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), including the 2017-2021 and 2021-2025 agreements.
“The government has committed to safeguarding the welfare of all our lecturers and has demonstrated this commitment through action. As we speak today, all arrears under the 2017-2021 and 2021-2025 CBAs have been cleared,” Ogamba stated.
The CS further stated that the commitment would be carried forward into future CBAs, including the 2025-2029 agreement.
“It is with this same spirit that we are committed to timely negotiations and conclusion of all future CBAs, including the 2025-2029 CBA,” he added.
Call to Obey Court Orders
Following these interventions and commitments, Ogamba urged the Universities’ Academic Staff Union (UASU) and individual lecturers to obey court orders and return to work, putting students’ interests first as they continue negotiations with the government.
“I therefore call upon UASU and individual lecturers to reciprocate this good faith, obey court orders and return to work. Let us not interrupt the education of our students over matters that the government has demonstrated it is ready and willing to resolve at the negotiating table,” he added.
Why Lecturers Are Striking
On Friday, October 2, university lecturers in public universities, including UASU and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), began a nationwide strike halting learning in universities across the country.
According to UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga, the lecturers are striking over the government’s failure to implement the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Wasonga also argues that the university councils, the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury have also failed to honour the Return-to-Work Formula signed on November 5, 2025.
At the same time, UASU accuses the government of having also failed to provide a financial counter-proposal for the 2025-2029 CBA despite negotiations having continued since last year.
“This painful decision follows the persistent failure by the councils of universities, the Ministry of Education, and the National Treasury to honour the Return-to-Work Formula signed on November 5, 2025,” UASU stated.
What Happens Next
The strike has halted learning in public universities across the country, affecting thousands of students. It remains unclear whether the lecturers will heed Ogamba’s directive or continue with the strike until their demands are fully met.