CS Migos urges lecturers to resume teaching, promises swift CBA implementation

Speaking at the World Teachers’ Day celebrations on Monday, CS Ogamba said all historical arrears under the 2017-2021 and 2022-2025 CBAs have been paid and the same goodwill shall be extended to the current CBA.

"It is with this same spirit that we are committed to timely negotiation and conclusion of future Collective Bargaining Agreements, including the 2025-2029 CBA," Ogomba said.

He urged the lecturers not to interrupt learning in universities over matters the government is ready to address and negotiate.

"I therefore call upon university staff unions and our individual lecturers to reciprocate the good faith, obey the orders of the court and return to work.’’ He insisted.

The strike by members of the Universities' Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) followed the collapse of talks between the unions and the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF).

The lecturers rejected recommendations made to the Ministry of Education and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission without prior negotiations with the unions.

They proposed employment terms should be agreed through a CBA rather than government circulars.

The unions also rejected a proposed Ksh.9.76 billion settlement, arguing that the figure was not negotiated.

The lecturers protested over what they described as unilateral decisions on salaries, terms of service and working conditions.

This also comes amid a request by teachers to have the four-year cycle of reviewing the CBA between the Teachers Service Commission and their unions reduced to two years.

President William Ruto has promised teachers to consider honouring their plea, proposing to hold talks upon the completion of the 2025–2029 CBA.

"Because we have signed the current one, we will return to the 2-year plan when it's over," he said at the same forum.

"You are now telling me two years have passed and you want us to switch to the two-year plan. Just as you give learners homework, so will I take this as homework, and I will come with answers. Leave that to me. I know what I am saying."

The current CBA, signed in July 2025, introduces a basic salary increase for teachers spread over the four years. 

The first phase was implemented in July 2025, and the second phase followed in July 2026.

President Ruto has said that the 2026/2027 budget has provided for an additional Ksh.8.1 billion to keep the agreement on schedule.