The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has maintained that the ongoing lecturers’ strike will not be called off until the government meets three key demands.
Addressing the press on October 31, UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga maintained that the Ksh 7.9 billion owed to lecturers should be paid in full immediately, rather than in two phases as previously proposed by the government.
“We had a consultation with the National Executive Committees (NEC) and we have demands that must be met before lecturers resume. The lecturers want the Ksh 7.9 billion to be paid in full and not in phases,” Wasonga said.
He further stated that the 2019-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) must be signed without delay, adding that there are four months of unpaid arrears that the government must also clear before talks on resuming learning can progress.
Wasonga said learning in public universities will remain suspended until these demands are met in full, noting that UASU members will not resume duty based on partial commitments.
The lecturers’ union also stated that they remain open to further talks with the government, provided their demands are fully addressed.
UASU Talks With Govt
On October 30, the government proposed to pay lecturers their Ksh 7.9 billion arrears in two phases as part of renewed efforts to end the ongoing strike.
This development followed fresh talks between the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and government officials aimed at reaching a return-to-work formula.
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UASU said the government had changed its earlier stance, revising its offer from three payment phases to two.
Wesonga added that both sides will continue consultations to resolve the impasse and restore normal learning in universities.
“Initially, they wanted to pay it in three phases; they have narrowed it down to two phases. We are going to consult our members, and the government is also going to consult,” Constantine Wesonga said.
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Lecturers Strike Continues
Constantine Wasonga affirmed that the strike is still ongoing and urged members to remain vigilant as high-level consultations continue.
“The strike is on. Members are called upon to remain vigilant as we pursue lines consulting at high levels,” he said.
UASU declared that no classes would resume in all 42 public universities, citing that learning will remain paralyzed until the arrears are paid in full and the 2019–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is fully implemented
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