UoN lecturers disrupt online classes, accuse collegues of 'betrayal' for defying strike notice

As the lecturers' strike entered day two in all 35 public universities and two constituent colleges, a lecturer who had decided to carry on with online classes found themselves under siege as fellow lecturers infiltrated and caused disruption.

They termed the class in session as the biggest betrayal to other lecturers who have downed their tools, forcing the lecturer to end the online class. 

"This is one of the biggest betrayals we are having. Shame on the person who is in class right now. We are asking you to end the class and wait until we are done with this strike," said UASU SG Constantine Wasonga.

The lecturers criticized the don for trying to get ahead by continuing to teach her classes while the strike was ongoing.

"You can't graduate students alone as an individual. We are many, and all of us will finish at the same time," said UASU-UoN Chair Dr Richard Bosire.

The lecturer was forced to cut short the lecture due to the backlash and pressure from fellow dons.

The incident exposed the dilemma some lecturers face for refusing to down their tools and the disruption to learning that continues to affect students due to the strike.

The Employment and Labour Court has declared the lecturers’ strike that began on Tuesday illegal, directing the government and lecturers to expedite negotiations pending a full hearing.

Lady Justice Agnes Nzei ordered the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) not to incite or call upon union members to participate in the unprotected strike in orders issued on Tuesday.

UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga asked the government to honour the negotiated return-to-work formula to cater to the dons' welfare.