UASU organising secretary Onesmus Mutio and other members stand in solidarity against Cs Ogamba. Photo/Courtesy.
By Daisy Okiring
Kenyan university lecturers have defied Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba’s order to return to work, insisting that the government must first clear billions owed from past collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). The lecturers’ strike, now in its second week, has disrupted learning in public universities and raised fears of a prolonged crisis that could derail the academic calendar.
Lecturers dismiss government directive
On Wednesday, officials from the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) dismissed Ogamba’s directive as disrespectful and uninformed. Dr Maloba Wekesa of UASU’s University of Nairobi Chapter accused the government of failing to honour long-standing agreements, saying lecturers could not be ordered back to class without meaningful dialogue.
“We are law-abiding citizens, but also aware of our rights when the government wants to game us. The very act of ordering lecturers back to class is impudent and an insult,” Wekesa said during a TV interview.
He argued that Ogamba, who has been in office for only a year, should first familiarise himself with the history of the dispute. According to Wekesa, lecturers had presented three demands, but the government only released Ksh2.5 billion, leaving an outstanding balance of Ksh7.9 billion from the 2017 and 2021 CBAs.
KUSU Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya echoed the concerns, blaming both the Ministry of Education and university management for the standoff. He said the government had consistently failed to honour negotiated CBAs for over seven years, leaving lecturers demoralised.
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Court ruling and government stance
The strike was declared on September 11 after the government failed to settle arrears despite repeated commitments. On September 18, the Employment and Labour Relations Court suspended the strike, directing parties to continue talks. Justice Jacob Gakeri certified the matter as urgent after the Inter-Public Universities Councils Forum sought intervention.
Despite the ruling, lecturers have remained defiant, accusing the government of dragging its feet. On Tuesday, Ogamba warned that lecturers risked contempt of court charges and disciplinary action if they failed to resume duty.
“Court orders are supposed to be obeyed. Otherwise, you will be in contempt. We are asking the lecturers to go back to work,” Ogamba said at a stakeholder forum in Mombasa. He urged dons to prioritise students’ welfare and pursue dialogue instead of confrontation.
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Students caught in uncertainty
The impasse has left thousands of students uncertain about the fate of their education, with fears that the academic calendar could face long-term disruption if no resolution is reached. Student leaders have expressed concern that delayed studies could affect graduations, job prospects, and national workforce planning.
Observers warn that unless both sides return to the negotiating table in good faith, the crisis could deepen. Analysts say the strike reflects deeper structural problems in university funding, including rising debts, underfunding, and a growing mismatch between government promises and allocations.
For now, lecturers insist that only full settlement of arrears and guarantees for future compliance will convince them to resume duties. Meanwhile, students continue to bear the brunt of the stalemate as classes remain suspended across the country.
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