How CS Ogamba plans to avert UASU strike

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has assured university lecturers that the government is working to resolve the standoff amid the planned nationwide strike set to begin September 17.

Ogamba revealed that his ministry is in constant communication with the National Treasury to ensure the Sh2.7 billion arrears are cleared within two weeks.

“We are working with Treasury as we speak to ensure that money is released within the next two weeks, or by the end of this month. We’ll be getting confirmation on the actual deadline, and this information has been passed to Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu),” he added.

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The CS said the union’s leadership, led by Secretary General Constantine Wesonga, is expected to meet and review the government’s assurances before deciding whether to call off the strike.

“They really do not want to continue with the strike if we are able to give a concrete commitment as to when we are going to release these resources. We are negotiating, and I am encouraging them to consider that the government is committed to fulfill the obligations provided for in the CBA,” he stated.

UASU, which issued the strike notice last week, has accused the government of reneging on its obligations under both the 2021-25 and 2025-29 CBAs.

Wesonga has insisted that lecturers will withdraw their labour unless the arrears are settled and salary adjustments are fully honoured.

Ogamba, however, expressed optimism that an agreement will be reached in time to avert disruptions in public universities.

“Our priority is to keep our students in school and lecturers in class. We are committed to resolving this matter,” he said.

The lecturers’ grievances, Ogamba said, stems from a CBA signed last year, which committed the government to pay arrears and implement salary adjustments.

He noted that part of the arrears, amounting to Sh2.7 billion, was due in July but had not been released.

“The strike notice is on the basis of the CBA that we signed last year. When there was a strike and a return-to-work formula, there was a Sh2.7 billion arrears portion that was to be paid in July. That money had not come, so we had a good discussion with them yesterday,” Ogamba said.

Uasu also cited Sh8.8 billion owed from the 2017-21 CBA, which was upheld by court rulings but remains unpaid.

They accused the government of ignoring court directives that ordered the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the Ministry of Education, and the National Treasury to allocate funds for the CBAs.

It further demanded the immediate negotiation, conclusion, and registration of the 2025–29 CBA in line with a Recognition Agreement signed in 2019.

“Our members shall therefore withdraw their labour and shall not resume duty until all these demands are met,” Wesonga warned.

If the strike goes ahead, learning in all 41 public universities and constituent colleges is expected to grind to a halt, disrupting both students and lecturers.