Varsity workers’ defy order barring strike

Academic staff outside the lecture halls and offices at the University of Nairobi on March 12, 2014 when they went on a strike over unpaid dues. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU

What you need to know:

  • Lecturers did not teach at the Chiromo and main campus, but together with non-academic staff, held a demonstration outside the university
  • Uasu secretary George Makokha said all the 3,000 workers at Kenyatta University were on strike

Learning ground to a halt at the University of Nairobi on Wednesday as workers defied a court order and went on strike. (READ: Court warns university staff over strike)

Lecturers did not teach at the Chiromo and main campus, but together with non-academic staff, held a demonstration outside the university demanding their dues.

The library and bookshop at the main campus and offices in the administration department at the University of Nairobi were all closed.

Only the cafeteria in the main administration block was open in the morning.

The strike affects the catering, cleaning and academic services, with only security, which is outsourced to a private company, unaffected.

The story was the same at Kenyatta and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

At Kenyatta University, striking workers marched in the compound, singing and chanting slogans and roughed up a lecturer who was found in class.

Universities Academic Staff Union and Kenya Universities Staff Union officials said the strike was a success and vowed to continue until the Sh3.9 billion they are demanding is paid.

MONEY WITHHELD

“We are not asking for a salary increase, all we want is the money which was released by the government but is being withheld by the universities,” said Kusu official David Maina.

Uasu secretary George Makokha said all the 3,000 workers at Kenyatta University were on strike and vowed they would not back down until their demands are met.

Students were stranded after finding the lecture halls closed but some opted to study on their own under trees. The said they hoped the matter would be resolved speedily.