Officials of the Universities Academic Staff Union at Bomet University College have urged Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to take decisive action and resolve the ongoing lecturers’ strike that has paralysed learning across public universities.
The officials called on CS Ogamba to
assert control over the matter and disregard what they termed as diversionary
advice from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission regarding
implementation of the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement, one of
the key demands by the striking lecturers.
Speaking to journalists at Bomet
University College on Wednesday, Uasu chapter chairman Sangura Ramari accused the SRC of misleading the Ministry of
Education by claiming that university lecturers had been paid salary increments
and arrears under the CBA.
“It is wrong for the SRC to claim
that the 2017–2021 CBA has been fully paid. The truth is that many universities
have not received the necessary funds. Those that tried to meet the obligations
from their internal reserves are now struggling to stay operational,” he said.
He said universities that partially
implemented the CBA using limited resources are now facing financial strain,
hindering essential functions such as staff promotions, research facilitation,
and maintenance of infrastructure.
Sangura urged the government to
reimburse funds used by affected institutions to help them stabilise
operations.
He further warned that lecturers
would not call off the strike until the CBA is fully implemented.
“We are ready to escalate and
upscale the strike until the deal is honoured. Lecturers have been patient for
too long, but we will not continue to teach under unfair conditions and
unfulfilled promises,” he said.
The union official called on the
Ministry of Education to treat university lecturers with fairness and respect,
saying full implementation of the CBA is essential for restoring industrial
harmony in higher education.
“TSC staff have already signed their
CBA, but university lecturers who train the top cream of the nation are still
waiting. This double standard is unacceptable,” he added.
Sangura expressed concern that
the prolonged strike has disrupted the academic calendar and negatively
affected students. He said many students have been left idle on campuses and
are increasingly frustrated by the uncertainty.
“The ongoing universities strike has
worsened the situation. Students are frustrated and some have resorted to
undesirable behaviour out of idleness. This is not the environment we want for
our young people,” Sangura said.
He appealed to the national
government to initiate genuine dialogue with the lecturers’ unions to end the
stalemate.
“We are also parents and we want to
go back to class. Our call is simple — let the government fulfil the CBA,
respect the teaching profession, and restore normalcy in our institutions,” he
said.
The nationwide lecturers’ strike has
now entered its second month, with learning at public universities remaining
suspended.
