Education Committee Meets Universities Stakeholders Union And Over Ongoing Lecturers’ Strike
The University Union team making their presentation yesterday
By PSCU
The National Assembly Committee on Education yesterday met with representatives from the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum over the ongoing lecturers’ strike.
In a session, chaired by Julius Melly, Committee members sought answers on the general terms and provisions of the Return-To-Work Formula between UASU and IPUCCF.
During the meeting, Dr. Constantine Wasonga, UASU’s National Secretary General, highlighted the lecturers’ frustration with what he described as “broken promises” regarding the implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“Our members have been patient, but the government’s reluctance to honor the CBA is disheartening. We only received a fraction of the agreed increase,” Dr. Wasonga stated, adding that the union’s call for a resumption of talks had gone unanswered.
According to documents scrutinised by the Committee, the implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which promised salary adjustments and improvements for university staff remains only partially fulfilled. The CBA initially agreed to a 7% salary increase for grades 13A to 15A and a 10% raise for grades 10A to 12A, yet according to UASU, only 4.5% of the commitment has been honored.
The UASU resumed industrial action on October 29, 2024, after a return-to-work agreement reached in September had stalled.
The Union representatives pointed out the government’s delay in releasing the agreed salary adjustments, which were estimated to cost Kshs 9.7B, led to the renewed strike.
“It is not possible to work with the percentages as given out in the Return To Work Agreement. The workers have done their calculations based on its parameters. The Kshs. 4.3B figure was not part of the signed agreement,” remarked Dr. Wasonga.
Prof. Fred Simiyu Barasa, Chairperson of the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), confirmed that government officials had initially agreed to a pay raise of between 7% and 10%, depending on staff grade. However, the funds needed to meet this commitment remain in limbo. “The financial constraints we face have delayed the salary increments,” he remarked.
Members pressed Prof. Barasa to provide records explaining the revision to KES 4.3 billion, questioning how the government arrived at this amount. “Can you present documents that show how the Inter-Ministerial Committee arrived at KSh4.3B?” inquired Clive Gesairo.
Recognizing the impact of the strike on students and the broader education sector, the Committee urged both UASU and IPUCCF to consider alternative negotiation strategies that would avoid further disruption.
“The prolonged strike has a cascading effect on students, their families, and the education sector,” said Committee Chair, Hon. Julius Melly. “We urge both parties to find a workable solution that ensures academic continuity.”
The Committee directed University Academic Staff Union and Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum to provide further documentation on the CBA implementation and the findings of the Inter-Ministerial Committee concerning budget allocations.
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