A nationwide university strike is set to kick off at midnight after talks between lecturers’ unions and the government collapsed, with both sides pointing to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) as the ultimate stumbling block in resolving the long-running dispute.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (Kusu) on Tuesday declared that lecturers will withdraw their labour until their three demands are met.
The demands include the release of Sh2.73 billion from Phase Two of the 2021–2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that was due in July, Sh7.9 billion outstanding from the 2017–2021 CBA and of negotiations and registration of the 2025–2029 CBA.
Uasu Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga expressed dismay at learning that the SRC was not aware of the court order issued in 2021 directing additional budgetary allocation for the implementation of the CBAs.
“On Monday, the SRC told us that it is the first time they are hearing that there was a court order issued on January 15, 2021, directing that they (SRC) work together with IPCCF implementation committee, the National Treasury and the Ministry of Education to make provision for additional budgetary allocation necessary for implementation of the CBAs,” he said.
An attempt by the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPCCF) to convene a negotiation meeting on Friday was turned down with Uasu terming it a “PR stunt”.
“When you convene a meeting of this magnitude, they are supposed to share with us in advance the beacons of negotiation with the SRC and the counter offer, which they have not,” said Dr Wasonga.
Uasu has accused the SRC, the Education ministry and the Treasury of defying court orders, including one by the Employment and Labour Relations Court that directed additional budgetary allocation for the full implementation of the 2017–2021 CBA.
Dr Wasonga added that, since the union issued the strike notice seven days ago, all they have received are promises made during meetings.
“Dons do not eat statements of intention. Dons do not eat promissory notes. Midnight tonight, dons are going to down their tools. They will only return when the arrears hit their accounts and the new CBA is negotiated,” he said.
When asked about the dons’ planned nationwide strike, Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala said the parties had held positive engagements and the money would be released soon.
“The issue was that they did not want the money paid in instalments, they wanted it as lump sum, which we are working on. They understood that it was just a lag in the process but not unwillingness to pay. We just differed on the approach, but that was discussed and rectified,” she said.
Regarding the 2025-29 CBA, the PS noted that the matter that involves many parties and that the SRC is yet to offer direction on the same.
Dr Wasonga said the government has failed to honour its end of the bargain, leaving them feeling cheated.
Kusu Secretary-General Charles Mukhwaya echoed the demands, insisting that the law was on the side of lecturers.
“We are still talking about the 2017–2021 agreement, eight years down the line. Where is the money? Kenyans are being taxed every day, but higher education is being ignored. That is why we issued a strike notice. If the government fails to act, we will withdraw our labour tomorrow,” he said.
The lecturers' strike comes just days after universities reopened for the new academic year, raising fears of further disruption to learning.
Last year, a two-week strike by university lecturers brought operations in public universities to a standstill. The dispute was only resolved after a day-long meeting at the Ministry of Labour involving the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), IPUCCF and other university unions.
As part of the agreement to return to work, university staff were promised significant improvements to their compensation and working conditions. But Uasu maintains that this has not been delivered.
