- For a second time in one month, lecturers at Moi University are on strike, this time on the directive of their national union officials
- Chapter branch officials launched the strike in Eldoret on Wednesday, September 17, after the lapse of the seven-day strike notice issued by UASU
- Maside Muliro University lecturers and staff also staged a protest to mark the start of their strike
- Speaking to the media, the union officials gave conditions under which they will call off their strike
Eldoret: Learning at Moi University has again been disrupted as lecturers joined colleagues across the country in a nationwide strike called by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU).
UASU Moi University chapter officials on Wednesday, September 17, officially launched their strike that seeks to push the government to release KSh 2.5 billion.
In a media briefing in Eldoret, branch secretary general Busolo Wegesa said that although they recently called off their strike, they had to join the one called by national officials, which they hope would address their issues once and for all.
They also insisted that they would only suspend the strike once the money is in their account.
Has government released money for lecturers?
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba had said that the money being demanded by the lecturers had already been released by the Treasury.
“We want to see the Treasury confirming that they have remitted the money to the Ministry of Education. What we have seen is a lie and we are not taking lies,” Busolo told journalists in Eldoret.
"We want money in our accounts. That's when we shall know there is money in our accounts. Otherwise, the rest is just hot air and false stories,” he added.
Similar sentiments were shared by the UASU national trustee Jane Michael who noted that the government had more than enough time to release the money they are demanding after they issued a seven-day strike notice.
She said lecturers would not accept promissory notes.
"The government only listens to strikes. We gave them a notice of seven days during which they had time to rectify the matters but opted to keep silent," she said.
What appeal did UASU make to MPs?
Meanwhile, UASU Moi University branch chairperson Richard Okero called for the intervention of the Parliamentary Committee on Education.
Okero said it was unfair for them to continue offering teaching services yet there was no money allocated for their salaries.
"Do you want us to retire without a pension?” he asked.
Learning at Moi University had already been disrupted for over two weeks as lecturers went on strike to push for the implementation of the 2024 return-to-work agreement.
They called off the strike last week after reaching an agreement with the university council.
Are Masinde Muliro University lecturers on strike
Lecturers and staff members of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology also staged a protest in Kakamega Town to mark the start of their strike.
While carrying placards, they said the government had taken their voices for granted, and that it is time for them to act per their Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Led by UASU chairman at the university, Ronald Wamalwa, and Gregory Litsanga of the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), the lecturers vowed not to return to work until the government implements the 2017-2021 CBA.
“We are suffering, our lives are not better, and we deserve an equitable share as legal civil servants in this country," Wamalwa said.
Why are lecturers striking?
Previously, D'moneyTalk.co.ke reported that lecturers in all public universities had downed their tools demanding for the release of KSh 2.5 billion which is part of the 2021-2025 CBA.
They also want another KSh 7.9 billion from the 2017-2021 CBA.
The union insists the strike will only come to an end once the money is in their members' bank accounts.
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