Normal operation at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) have been halted after the lecturers kicked off protests.
The protests are led by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), TUK branch and KUDHEIHA Workers’ Committee TUK shop.
The unions are set to present petitions and a written memorandum to the National Assembly, the Ministry of Finance and the National Treasury, and the Ministry of Education regarding the delay in their salaries.
In Images and videos seen by The Kenya Times, the staff could be seen carrying placards and singing ” Treasury we go we go, Parliament we go.”
TUK Strike Notice Issued Earlier
TUK members of staff had earlier written a picketing notice to the Vice Chancellor informing him of the protests.
“UASU, KUSU and KUDHEIHA hereby notifies ALL UNIONISABLE MEMBERS’ OF STAFF that in accordance with The Constitution of Kenya, Article 37; there will be picketing (peaceful procession) on Tuesday, 14th January 2025 starting from 9.00 a.m. from the Red Square,” read the notice in part.
“The objective of the picketing will be to present Petitions and written Memorandum to the National Assembly; to the Ministry of Finance & The National Treasury; and to the Ministry of Education.”
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Why Technical University of Kenya Lecturers Kicked Off Protests
KUSU Acting Chairperson Yucabed Gwaya had earlier said that they had given the employer sufficient time to clear the arrears, but their demands had been ignored.
She added that the institution had driven some staff into depression as they struggled to provide for their families and meet financial obligations despite being employed.
“Our staff to develop themselves, they have to take grants. We have staff who took loans years back but what has been happening in this university for the last ten years is that no loans have been remitted to any bank and some of the banks have prosecuted our members,” Gwaya said.
“The only option for staff members to take their children to school was through credit facility but no one can take that because they have been listed under CRB. We are sending a strong message to the employer and the government that TUK staff members have been resilient enough and that resilience should not be taken for granted.”
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Other Reasons for Protests
On his part, UASU TUK Chapter Secretary Fred Sawenja announced that UASU, KUSU, and KUDHEIHA union leaders had observed that the institution had violated its employment contract with workers.
The leaders of the three unions had stated that if their members did not receive December salaries by the end of Monday January 13, they would not attend classes from Tuesday, which would disrupt examinations scheduled for the week.
The government had also been urged to intervene before the university’s financial crisis worsens.
“We shall hold a major picket to deliver our petitions to the National Assembly, to the Ministry of Finance and National Treasury and the Ministry of Education on a Tuesday,” said Sawenja.
“We are demanding that the government, through the Ministry of Education and the University Council pay TU-K Employees their December 2024 salaries immediately and address the other outstanding financial issues to avert the imminent shut down of the Technical University of Kenya.”
Among the issues raised is staff stagnation, with members stating that it has affected their performance over the years, as well as Ksh 1 billion accrued from the 2010-2013 local CBA and the 2017-2021 national CBA.
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