Kisii University lecturers join nationwide dons' strike to push for pay

Kisii University lecturers downed their tools on Wednesday stepping up the collective nationwide push for improved working conditions for university staff.

They said they want the government to address issues they had raised in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) before resuming work.

"Our expectations for improved terms and conditions have always been met with unnecessary delays. We urge the national leadership to intervene and resolve this stalemate," stated Kenya University Staff Union-Kisii Branch Secretary General Moses Nyandusi.

He spoke referring to the 2021-2025 CBA which is yet to implemented by the government.

The officials said there had been no substantive progress since they signed the CBA in September 4, 2020.

Inter alia, the CBA roots for between seven(7) and 10 percent pay hike for the all university staff.

Mr Nyandusi said it “gravelly perturbes” that nobody from the government was ready to listen to them days after they signaled downing tools.

"There would be no relenting soon until the issues we had raised are given the emergency attention and get acted upon," he told journalists outside Kisii University.

"Today, we gather to express our collective frustration and demand action on those issues which have affected us for far too long.

"We call upon the Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba, to urgently address the delayed negotiation of the 2021-2025 CBA," Mr Nyandusi stated .

He also spoke of stalled Internal CBA Negotiations at Kisii University which the local staff want addressed.

"We need a commitment from the administration to fast-track these discussions and ensure that our members’ needs are addressed," Mr Nyandusi said.

On the controversial university funding model, the dons said the model fails to outline how salaries for staff will be sustained.

"A funding model that does not prioritize staff welfare is not viable. We demand a clear plan on how salaries will be paid under this new structure," he said.

He said delayed promotions for university staff continue to hamper career growth.

“This too must be resolved with urgency,” he said.

While appreciating the efforts by the current Kisii University management to address pension remittances, he said there were still long-standing pension arrears that should be addressed.

"To my fellow comrades, this strike is a necessary step in ensuring our rights are respected. Let us stand firm and united, fully supporting this cause. Our strength lies in our solidarity," he said, in unison with others.

He said while they were open to dialogue they would not stand rhetoric.

“Yes we remain open to dialogue, but it must lead to real solutions. We will not stop until our demands are met,” he stated.