- CS Ogamba has held consultative talks with UASU officials led by Secretary-General Constantine Wesonga on welfare issues affecting university academic staff.
- PS Inyangala accompanied Ogamba, with both sides emphasising continued dialogue to promote industrial harmony in public universities.
- MoE has said sustained engagement with UASU will help strengthen teaching, research and stability in the higher education sector.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba on Thursday held talks with officials of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) as the government seeks to address issues affecting academic staff in public universities.
Ogamba was accompanied by Higher Education Principal Secretary Dr Beatrice Muganda Inyangala during the consultative meeting with union officials led by UASU Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wesonga. The discussions focused on matters affecting academic staff in public universities, with both sides emphasising continued engagement as an important avenue for addressing emerging concerns and promoting industrial harmony in the sector.
The meeting comes amid continued calls for closer collaboration between the government and university lecturers’ representatives on issues affecting the welfare and working environment of academic staff. The Ministry of Education said sustained dialogue would also help strengthen teaching, research and other academic activities in public universities. The engagement is expected to provide an avenue for the government and the union to discuss issues affecting lecturers and seek practical solutions through consultation rather than confrontation.
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UASU represents academic staff in public universities and has previously engaged the government on matters relating to remuneration, working conditions, career progression and implementation of collective agreements. The government has in recent years held discussions with university staff unions as part of efforts to maintain stability in institutions of higher learning and ensure uninterrupted learning.
The latest meeting underscores the importance of continued dialogue between the Ministry of Education and academic staff representatives as Kenya seeks to strengthen the quality and sustainability of higher education. The government and UASU are expected to maintain consultations on issues affecting academic staff and the wider university sector.
By Kithinji Njeru
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