Education CS Ogamba threatens disciplinary action against striking lecturers

Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba has directed lecturers to immediately resume duty, failure to which they will face disciplinary action.

CS Ogamba says lecturers are in contempt of court order requiring them to resume classes. This comes even as students across various universities remained in limbo, as the lecturers strike clocks one week.

Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, the Education CS said the government has released Ksh.2.5 billion to address the grievances raised by the dons.

Referencing a High Court order that suspended the strike, Ogamba warned of disciplinary action against those who would not resume work.

“Court orders are to be obeyed or else you will be in contempt…we have done a lot in the sector and we have agreed that all grievances can be addressed without us going on strikes that affect our learners,” he said.

Members of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) commenced their strike despite a shot in the arm from the National Treasury.

UASU lecturers at the University of Nairobi (UON) and Maseno University downed their tools on Wednesday last week. arguing that their financial demands have still not been met as agreed in the CBA.

This after Treasury released Ksh.2.5 billion to be utilized in the implementation of Phase 2 of the 2021-2025 CBAs in a bid to quell the impending strike.

UASU Chapter Secretary at UoN Dr. Maloba Wekesa said that the State has failed lecturers and all pending fiscal arrears have not yet been honored.

He said that Ksh.7.9 billion in owed arrears under the 2017 CBA has not yet been paid despite the court ruling in favour of terms agreed in the agreements.