University of Nairobi (UoN) lecturers disrupted an online class in session by a lecturer defying the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) strike.
In the incident that happened on Wednesday, October 30, the striking lecturers demanded that all students exit the online class and for the lecturer to stop teaching until the strike is called off.
According to the lecturers, the class in session was the biggest betrayal to other lecturers who have downed their tools, forcing the lecturer to end the online class.
UASU SG Constantine Wasonga directed all the students who were logged into the session to sign out and wait until the strike comes to an end.
“I want all those students who are there to also sign out, this is one of the biggest betrayals we are having. Shame on the person who is in class right now. We are asking you to end the class and wait until we are done with this strike,” Dr. Wasonga said.
UASU-UoN Chair Dr Richard Bosire criticized the don for trying to get ahead by continuing to teach her classes while the strike was ongoing.
Bosire argued that the lecturer cannot help his students graduate without their colleagues from other courses.
“I am asking you to end the strike and wait until we are done with this strike. You can’t graduate students alone as an individual. We are many, and all of us will finish at the same time,” Bosire said.
The lecturer was forced to cut short the lecture due to the backlash and pressure from fellow dons.
“I am most obliged, students we can log out,” the female lecturer is heard saying.
This comes as the lecturers in all public universities and 2 constituent colleges.
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Court Declares Lecturers Strike Unconstitutional
The Employment and Labour Court has declared the lecturers’ strike that began on Tuesday, October 29 illegal.
Lady Justice Agnes Nzei directed the government and lecturers to expedite negotiations pending a full hearing.
Nzei ordered the UASU not to incite or call upon union members to participate in the unprotected strike.
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“The strike called by the Respondent (UASU) on 29th October 2024 is hereby declared unprotected. The Respondent and/or its officials are restrained from calling on its members or inciting them to participate in the unprotected strike set to commence on 29th October 2024, or on any other dates, regarding matters that are the subject of negotiations,” Justice Nzei ruled.
However, Wasonga has asked the government to honour the negotiated return-to-work formula to cater to the lecturer’s welfare.
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