Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has called on striking public university lecturers to immediately end their industrial action and comply with court directives.
The strike, declared on September 17, 2025, has disrupted learning in all 39 public universities just weeks into the new academic year. Lectures, examinations, and research activities remain at a standstill, leaving thousands of students stranded.
On September 18, the Employment and Labour Relations Court suspended the strike and directed unions and government representatives to pursue dialogue. However, lecturers under the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (Kusu) have vowed to continue with the boycott until their financial grievances are fully addressed.
Speaking in Mombasa on September 23 during a conference on teacher training, CS Ogamba defended the government’s commitment to higher education funding. He revealed that the government had already released Sh2.5 billion under the second phase of the 2024–25 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“We have done a lot in this sector, and we agreed that all grievances can be discussed without going on strike and affecting our learners,” Ogamba said, warning that defiance of the court order could invite disciplinary measures.
The lecturers, however, are demanding a cumulative Sh11.53 billion in arrears dating back to 2017. This includes Sh2.73 billion in unsettled dues and Sh8.8 billion in arrears. They are also pressing for the negotiation and implementation of the new 2025–29 CBA.
Uasu Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga has remained firm, stating:
“I will not call off this strike until the Sh2.73 billion is paid, the Sh8.8 billion arrears cleared, and the 2025–29 CBA negotiated and implemented. Letters will not do. Wire the money.”
The stalemate now threatens to derail the academic calendar further, with looming concerns over graduations, research projects, and student progression. All eyes remain on the government, unions, and the courts to determine whether dialogue or enforcement will break the deadlock.
