We will no longer solve lecturers' issues on the street: CS Ogamba

“Recently, we had a few challenges in the higher education sector, and we did also sit down. We're dealing with the CBA of 2017-2021, which was historical, and we've agreed with those unions as well that we are no longer going to resolve our issues in the streets,” CS Ogamba said on Wednesday. 

“So, we've signed and sorted it out, the negotiation for the CBA 2025-29 is being negotiated, and what we've agreed is that if what is in the CBA is implemented, we will not have another strike on another issue until 2030,” he added.

His remarks come after public university lecturers and staff called off their two-month-long strike after accepting the government’s payment offer.

The agreement, reached between the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), as well as the Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels, Educational Institutions Hospitals & Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), outlines the settlement of Ksh. 7.9 billion owed under the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

According to UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga, the unions accepted a two-instalment payment plan, with the full amount expected to be cleared by June 2026, after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi acknowledged that the government could not settle the full amount at once, citing financial constraints.

“The government is cash-strapped and cannot foot the entire Ksh. 7.9 billion at once. We urge lecturers to accept the instalment payments,” Mbadi said.

Wasonga added that both parties also signed a framework for negotiating the 2025- 2029 (CBA), which will guide future engagements between the unions and the government.

Previously, UASU had maintained that lecturers would not return to class until all arrears were paid in full. However, the union agreed to the phased payment following extensive consultations with the government.