Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba on Tuesday urged university lecturers to halt their strike, stating that negotiations for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) must not interfere with academic operations. Speaking during the distribution of Grade 11 textbooks at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) headquarters in Nairobi, Ogamba emphasized that the government and lecturers’ unions were actively addressing outstanding issues in the proposed CBA. He reiterated the need for compliance with court orders suspending the strike, asserting, "A country believes and operates under the law. There’s nobody who is above the law."
Ogamba acknowledged that negotiations remained ongoing, with no immediate resolution expected but expressed optimism that a settlement could be reached in the coming days. He highlighted the government’s track record in resolving previous CBA disputes, including those covering the 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 periods, under the leadership of President William Ruto. "This government has been able to resolve outstanding issues of the CBAs of the universities," he stated, assuring lecturers of continued engagement with their representatives to finalize the 2025–2029 agreement. The CS also called on lecturers to return to classrooms, arguing that prolonged disruptions risked undermining student learning and educational reforms.
The ongoing strike by university lecturers has impacted academic schedules at public institutions, as unions push for resolutions to grievances under the new CBA. Ogamba reiterated the Ministry of Education’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted learning, while noting that the government remains focused on addressing systemic challenges. The Ministry also reaffirmed its dedication to supporting education reforms, including the allocation of Sh1.8 billion for electricity upgrades at Kericho Bungoma School, which has requested 30 additional classrooms. Meanwhile, industrial manufacturers of oil and detergents have raised concerns over over 60% unmet demand for oil crops, signaling broader economic pressures affecting the sector.
The CS’s remarks came amid heightened scrutiny of labor disputes in the education sector, with stakeholders urging a swift resolution to prevent further academic setbacks. Ogamba’s appeal underscores the government’s dual focus on legal compliance and educational continuity, as negotiations continue to shape the future of university labor relations in Kenya.