Public University Lecturers Commence Strike as Private Varsities Demand Overdue Payments.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has begun a strike at the Technical University of Kenya after a seven-day deadline to meet their demands expired on August 26. The lecturers went on strike to demand that the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement be executed.
They demanded immediate payment, an increase in pay in line with the CBA, and no statutory or third-party deductions for things like bank loans, Sacco memberships and loans, insurance premiums, NSSF, NHIF, and AHL. They also wanted an investigation into the Staff Retirement and Benefits Scheme (TUK-SRBS), which was almost bankrupt.
The union stated that they would not return to duty unless the aforementioned issues were adequately resolved. UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga announced the strike last Monday, following a meeting of the union’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Wasonga stated that most public institutions have broken medical schemes, and failing to remit NHIF deductions has exacerbated the situation, emphasizing the high rate of suffering among teachers.
At the Technical University of Kenya, where employees reportedly receive only 65 percent of their July salaries, the group also protested payment cuts.
The strike now follows the secondary school teachers’ strike, which has entered its second week. Teachers’ inability to report for work has crippled learning in public schools, leading to their closure.
Private Varsities Demand Overdue Payments
Private universities have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the delayed disbursement of capitation monies, demanding their rightful payment. Highland University Vice Chancellor Robert Lang’at described the delay as a serious problem that had impacted campus activities.
During a university graduation, Lang’at revealed that the government owes the institution more than Ksh600 million, with capitation dropping from Ksh70,000 to Ksh15,000. Money, limited infrastructure, human resource competence, low research output, declining donor assistance, and unfavorable government rules were cited as issues facing the institutions.
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“I understand the budget to fund students has come down significantly this year, and with the Gen Zs rejecting the Finance Bill, our work is not easy.” He criticized the government for underfunding private universities, claiming that this discrimination has hampered the institutions’ progress.
Lang’at, who is also the Bishop of Africa Gospel Church, is now demanding prompt payment of the universities’ dues, which he claims rightfully belong to them.
Public University Lecturers Commence Strike as Private Varsities Demand Overdue Payments.
