From Streets to Lecture Halls: Varsity Dons Bow to Dialogue

The resolved stalemate between the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and the Government has caused learning paralysis within 35 public universities for two weeks.

Among the issues raised by the lecturers were the demand for a 10% salary increment as was honored to other public servants, a uniform 4% automatic annual increment and harmonization of allowances across universities, inclusion and respect of medical, and mortgage schemes, and the pricking negotiations on the signing and implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Following the prior downing of tools at Moi University, the university honchos petitioned for the immediate payment of delayed salaries.

The high-spirited demos by university staff on September 23, 2024, were met with teargas from the police, hampering their march to Parliament. This occasioned an enraged lot, who declared another face-off come September 30, 2024.

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga expressed his disapproval of the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) during the strike's kick-off on September 18, 2024.

“So, from September 4, 2020, if you are still asking for more time in 2024, think twice. Other public service employees were given seven to ten percent. We are also government employees. We want the seven to ten percent that other public sector employees were given,” Wasonga elaborated.

However, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Labour and Social Protection, Dr Alfred Mutua, held discussions with the unions’ officials to try to end the two-week strike. UASU’s Dr Wasonga, KUSU Secretary General Dr Charles Mukhwaya, and Principal Secretary of the State Department of Labour Shadrack Mwadime were in attendance.

The meeting, which commenced on September 25, 2024, occasioned the formulation of an interministerial negotiating team. This team aims to address issues raised by the unions and will lead to signing a return-to-work formula.

The team will comprise representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Education, the National Treasury, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), public universities, the State Corporations Advisory Committee (SCAC), and the unions.

The CS underscored the urgency of the matter, highlighting the team’s commitment to arriving at a solid agreement as soon as possible, saying, “We cannot allow these matters to fester and disrupt the education of thousands of students. The inter-ministerial committee will commence discussions tomorrow, and we will work diligently until we reach a resolution.”

Barely a day after the start of dialogue, the CS confirmed that all parties have met at common ground. Dr. Alfred has confirmed that the unions have called off the strike, having nodded to their demands.

“The newly brokered agreement secures essential salary increments for university workers, with increases ranging from 7% to 10%, recognizing their vital contributions,” he noted.

The former Governor has additionally praised the Government’s commitment to supporting university workers, its dedication to fair compensation, and improving their working conditions. he has exalted the power of dialogue, saying, “The collaboration between IPUCCF, FKE, and unions like UASU, KUSU, and KUDHEIHA is a testament to the power of dialogue in achieving meaningful change.”