Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba appears before the National Assembly on October 8, 2025. Photo PBU 
By Andrew Mbuva
Members of the National Assembly have called on the Ministry of Education to urgently resolve the ongoing strike by university lecturers that has crippled learning in public universities across the country.
The legislators made the appeal after Gilgil MP Martha Wangari sought a statement from Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba on the Government’s efforts to end the impasse with university staff unions — the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and KUDHEIHA.
In his response, Mr. Ogamba said the Government had substantially implemented the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) valued at Ksh. 9.76 billion, which is being paid in three phases.
He revealed that Ksh. 4.3 billion was released for the period between October 2024 and June 2025, while another Ksh. 2.73 billion has already been disbursed for the 2025/2026 Financial Year. The remaining Ksh. 2.73 billion, he added, will be paid in the next financial year as scheduled.
The Cabinet Secretary further noted that the 2017–2021 CBA remains under contention, with the unions claiming an outstanding balance of Ksh. 7.9 billion, while the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) maintains that only Ksh. 624 million is pending after accounting for salary adjustments.
“This difference in interpretation is a matter we are ready to resolve amicably through objective discussions,” said Mr. Ogamba, adding that the dispute is currently under conciliation as directed by the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
However, several lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry’s explanation, accusing it of dragging its feet and offering contradictory information.
Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gesairo questioned the accuracy of the figures presented, claiming the Ministry was “hiding behind the SRC.” He said, “This is not the first time the Ministry has contradicted itself. The Attorney General has already advised that balances owed under the 2017–2021 CBA be paid. Our young people are at home, and lecturers are on the streets.”
Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo, a former lecturer, echoed the concerns, urging the Ministry to expedite the negotiations. “It saddens me to see my colleagues on the streets. Can the Ministry assure this House that the negotiations will conclude this week so that learning resumes?” he asked.
Mr. Ogamba maintained that the Government remains committed to fully implementing the 2021–2025 CBA and beginning talks for the 2025–2029 agreement once SRC guidelines are issued.
The House concluded by urging the Ministry to fast-track consultations with all stakeholders to ensure that university students return to class without further disruption.
