Learning stops as university workers strike

All activities at the Egerton and Laikipia universities have been paralysed following a strike by lecturers and non-teaching staff Wednesday.

The workers downed their tool demanding that university authorities release their much-awaited pay increments.

A survey at all campuses run by the two public universities in Nyahururu, Njoro, Nakuru and Naivasha as well as Nairobi showed there was no learning going on. There were also no activities going on in the kitchens.

Outside the graduation square at Egerton University’s Njoro campus union leaders met and vowed to press on with the strike until their demands were met.

Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) Treasurer Mr Kennedy Mangale said the workers and lecturers were not fighting the government since it had executed part of its deal by releasing the money to the university authorities who refused to release the money.

Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) National Organising Secretary Earnest Wayaya added that they were ready to resume duty immediately once university authorities tell Kenyans where the money went.

“It is wrong for you to award yourself a hefty pay increase and ignore the people it was meant for.

We met with government officials and came to an agreement that led to release of money but vice chancellors later met and decided to deny the low-cadre staff their money,” he said.

Laikipia University’s UASU chapter secretary Dr James Mayaka insisted that the money had been diverted to other uses with senior academic staff increasing their salaries while ignoring the junior staff.