Kenya: Lecturers Decide Today On Strike Action

Nairobi — UNIVERSITY lecturers are later on Monday scheduled to meet government before deciding if to embark on a strike.

The University Academic Staff Union had threatened industrial action after blaming the government for failing to honour the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) of 2012.

The strike, which officials said would go ahead if a settlement was not reached, was scheduled for Tuesday.

“The agreement (CBA) settled for a total of Sh7.8 billion for the increment salaries and house allowance for lecturers, which is yet to be awarded,” said UASU Secretary General, Muga K'olale.

The UASU officials blamed the administration of public universities for embezzling money allocated to lecturers by the government.

UASU Chairman, Dr Charles Mukhwaya, alleged that some managers had shared “millions of Shillings” intended for lecturers among themselves.

“Some universities have received money but they have not disbursed it to the workers but have instead chosen for it to line their pockets,” said Mukhwaya.

UASU officials called off a strike late last year after they arrived at an understanding with the government in a deal that saw the government authorizing Shs 3.9 Billion for salaries and house allowances.

UASU's strike notice comes at a time when both teachers and nurses have threatened to go on strike. Teachers shelved their notice of strike in favour of a joint committee to look into the exact number of teachers to be promoted.

The joint committee will table its findings to TSC and the teachers' union in a week's time.