Kirinyaga University lecturers have joined a nationwide strike launched by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) following the government's failure to release Ksh2.7 billion needed to implement the second phase of their Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Speaking on Wednesday, a representative noted that despite the government's recent assurances, lecturers could no longer tolerate promises without tangible action, emphasizing that they cannot "consume promissory notes" when they need actual funds.
The academic staff explained that their strike stems from the government's failure to honor commitments made through a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiated and signed in November last year. The agreement, which has been legally registered in court, was structured to be implemented in three phases.
According to the union representatives, while the government successfully released funds for the first phase in January this year, it has failed to follow through with the second phase, which was scheduled for July—a delay of over two months.
The lecturers expressed frustration over repeated government assurances about processing payments without any concrete action being taken, despite numerous discussions between the parties.
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"We have kept our end of the bargain. Our members have always been doing their duties diligently despite the challenges the government has brought up, " one lecturer stated. "But now we have said enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate this any longer."
The striking academic staff emphasized that their grievances are specifically related to the national government's handling of the CBA implementation, clarifying that they have no issues with Kirinyaga University management.
Union representatives pointed to what they described as government wastage in other areas while university lecturers continue to work without receiving their rightful compensation. They insisted that the Treasury has sufficient funds but has chosen to prioritize other expenditures.
"We as lecturers don't consume promissory notes. We consume money. If there is no money, then there is a strike," declared one representative, adding that if the government wants to avoid the strike, they should release the funds rather than provide more promises.
The strike comes despite recent government efforts to address the dispute.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that the administration had released Sh2.5 billion to public universities specifically to implement Phase Two of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement for lecturers.
The disbursement was part of the government's attempt to ease tensions with UASU and prevent the nationwide strike.
Ogamba had appealed to the union to withdraw its strike notice and allow for continued dialogue, describing the release as a demonstration of government goodwill.
The Cabinet Secretary also indicated that his ministry was coordinating with the National Treasury to address outstanding arrears from previous agreements, promising that the Sh2.7 billion in arrears would be cleared within two weeks.
