CS Ogamba warns striking lecturers to obey court order or face action

Cy Muganda 23rd September, 2025 07:08 PM

Caption:CS Ogamba urges lecturers to return to work, cites payments and court order. VIDEO/K24TV

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has issued a stern warning to striking lecturers, urging them to respect court directives or risk disciplinary measures.

Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, during the opening of the conference on the status of pre-service teacher training, Ogamba reminded lecturers that court rulings must be upheld, regardless of the grievances raised.

“Court orders are supposed to be obeyed; otherwise, you will be in contempt, and if you’re in contempt, disciplinary action might be taken against you,” Ogamba stated.

Watch: Students cry out as lecturers’ strike paralyses learning in universities

Need for dialogue

According to the CS, the government has made significant progress in addressing challenges within the education sector and remains committed to addressing lecturers’ concerns.

Ogamba further argued that strikes negatively impact learners and should be avoided in favour of constructive discussions between the government and education stakeholders.

“We have done a lot in the sector and we’ve agreed that all grievances can be discussed without us going on strike, which affects our learners,” he added.

Lecturers’ stance

Ogamba’s remarks come amidst ongoing industrial action by lecturers who are demanding the full implementation of their collective bargaining agreement.

Also watch: JKUAT UASU officials urge members to stay firm amid nationwide strike

Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, UASU-UoN Chapter Secretary Maloba Wekesa stated that the partial release of Ksh2.5 billion is insufficient, emphasising that they will not call off the strike until the government clears all arrears owed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

“We are owed Ksh7.9 billion for the 2017–2021 CBA. This Ksh2.5 billion is not enough. Until full payment is made, we will continue our industrial action,” he said.

“Every time a CBA is signed, it is only in arrears. It’s not as if we wake up one day and decide to strike. There is a process. We registered disputes and tried to resolve matters amicably, and still, no full payment came through. We are left with no choice,” Wekesa added, stressing that the strike followed due process.