Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has appealed to university lecturers to honor court orders and return to teaching, as the government works to resolve the ongoing strike that has halted learning in public universities for weeks.
Speaking in Mombasa after a session with the Senate Standing Committee on Education, Ogamba emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving the lecturers’ grievances. He announced the release of Sh2.73 billion to settle pending dues under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“As a government, we have demonstrated good faith by implementing part of the CBA. I now urge lecturers to also show good faith and return to class to teach our learners,” Ogamba stated, noting that some first-year students have yet to attend a single lesson.
The CS urged compliance with court orders that directed university staff to end the strike and welcomed the resumption of classes in several institutions. He also recognized the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) for ending its industrial action and appealed to KUSU and UASU to follow suit.
Separately, Ogamba condemned an incident at a Kilifi school where donors allegedly required children to recite prayers in exchange for food. He confirmed that the practice has been stopped and investigations are ongoing.
“You do not give food donations in exchange for prayers. That is using food to influence children’s faith, which is unacceptable,” said Ogamba.
He affirmed that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, is working to prevent similar incidents and enhance the school feeding program in Ganze.
Education CS Urges Lecturers to Resume Teaching Amid Strike
