The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), Chuka University chapters, have joined the nationwide strike following stalled negotiations with the government.
The two unions had issued a 7-day ultimatum on September 11 regarding the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which was presented on September 4, 2020, promising a 7-10% salary increment.
In their 2020 CBA, the unions proposed an increase in the basic salary to KShs 99,650 for the lowest-paid lecturers (Tutorial Fellows and Graduate Assistants) and KShs 338,146 for the highest-paid professors, who are currently earning KShs 57,729 and KShs 209,694, respectively.
“The 7-day ultimatum we gave the government has lapsed, yet the 2021-2025 CBA on salary increment has not been honored. University staff need to be paid fairly, just like other government employees. We will only return to work once the commitments are fulfilled,” said Thomas Mutindi, Secretary General of UASU’s Chuka University chapter.
KUSU Chuka University Chapter Secretary General, Daniel Wandera, noted that the university’s Internal CBA for 2017-2021 has also not been honored, demanding the implementation of a comprehensive medical scheme by the institution.
“While we are out of classes and workplaces, we demand that both the National and Internal CBAs be honored. If both are fulfilled, we are ready to resume work. If our demands are ignored, we will continue the strike. The Internal CBA with Chuka University must be fully negotiated and implemented,” Wandera stated.
In response, Chuka University issued a press statement acknowledging the lack of a medical scheme but assured that negotiations are underway with the three unions.
The university added that talks are at an advanced stage, and once finalized, all staff members will benefit.
The nationwide protests are ongoing in the 35 public universities across Kenya.
