Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ogamba on Tuesday appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Education to explain the government’s position on the ongoing lecturers’ strike that has paralyzed learning in public universities across the country. The session also brought together top officials from the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Higher Education Workers (KUHEIHA).
Source: citizen.digital
In his opening remarks, CS Ogamba acknowledged that the strike had greatly affected students and disrupted the academic calendar. He said the government understands the frustrations of university staff and is committed to finding a lasting solution. According to the CS, the main issues raised by the unions include delayed salaries, stalled promotions, lack of research funding, and the slow implementation of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
CS Ogamba told the committee that discussions between the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury, and the Public Service Commission are ongoing to find a way of meeting the financial demands without putting too much pressure on the national budget. He emphasized that the government values the role of lecturers and university staff in shaping the country’s future and promised that their concerns would be handled fairly and transparently.
Representatives from UASU, KUSU, and KUHEIHA presented their grievances, saying that many university employees have gone for months without full pay and that working conditions in most institutions continue to deteriorate. They said that the government had made several promises in the past that have not been kept, which forced them to take industrial action as a last resort. The union leaders stressed that they are open to dialogue but want firm timelines and clear commitments from the Ministry of Education.
Committee members expressed concern over the prolonged strike, warning that students risk losing an entire academic year if the dispute is not resolved soon. They reminded both the government and the unions that education is a key pillar of national development and should not be held hostage by disputes that can be solved through open discussion. The committee also questioned why university councils and the Ministry failed to act early enough to prevent the situation from getting out of control.
In response, CS Ogamba said the government is working on a plan to harmonize pay structures across universities and ensure that funds meant for staff welfare are used properly. He added that the Ministry would soon hold a joint meeting with all university vice-chancellors to assess the impact of the strike and come up with immediate measures to restore normal operations.
The Education Parliamentary Committee chairperson urged all parties to put the interests of students first and find common ground for the sake of stability in higher education. The committee is expected to release a report with recommendations to guide negotiations and help end the strike in the coming days.
As the talks continue, students and parents across the country hope that both the government and the unions will reach an agreement soon so that learning can resume and universities can return to their normal schedules. The strike has not only delayed studies but also affected research projects, graduations, and the overall morale within the higher education sector.
The government and the unions now face the challenge of balancing financial realities with the need to reward and motivate educators who play a vital role in shaping Kenya’s future.
