UoN directs striking lecturers to resume work or ‘face appropriate action’

The University of Nairobi (UoN) has directed academic staff to resume work immediately amid the ongoing nationwide lecturers’ strike.

Public university dons have downed tools since October 29 over payment of salary arrears owed to the lecturers and a pay raise.

UoN acting vice-chancellor Margaret Hutchinson on Tuesday said the strike has not only affected teaching and learning activities in Kenya’s largest university, but also other operations like research and community service.

“While the university management fully acknowledges the importance of the concerns raised by the academic staff, we remain committed to addressing these issues through collaborative efforts with all stakeholders involved,” Prof Hutchinson said in a statement.

She said all academic staff of the university should resume their duties “immediately”, adding that deans and department chairs would conduct daily roll calls and submit the data to the university management.

“Any faculty member found not fulfilling their employment obligations will face appropriate action as stipulated in their employment contracts and under the law,” Hutchinson stated.

“No individual will be permitted to incite or intimidate those wishing to carry out their duties during this time.”

Prof Hutchinson underlined the employment and labour relations court’s last month’s ruling that the strike is unprotected.

The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has called the strike until lecturers’ demands in the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement are fully met.

The return-to-work formula agreed on a seven to 10 per cent basic salary increment, depending on the lecturers’ job grades, as well as a four per cent annual increase on their basic salary.

But while dons hold that they need Ksh.9.7 billion to implement it, the Ministry of Education has only presented Ksh.4.3 billion.

Meanwhile, UASU and the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) are appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Education on Tuesday over the dispute.