Machakos University staff halted learning due to a dispute over their 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The protests which are nationwide include members of Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) and University Academic Staff Union (UASU) who swore to disrupt all learning activities until all their demands are met.
Machakos UASU Secretary General Dr.Martin Kasina who was speaking to the press outside the University said they are protesting against the government for failing to negotiate and implement the 2021_2025 CBA and are not planning to resume classes if there are no changes.
Kasina disclosed that even though the CBA balance of 2017-2021 was partially paid, they demand the government to clear their balance of Ksh 79 million as Machakos University workers.
The speaker stated that the government and its representatives have been quiet and have only offered a counter offer this year to only the professors.
“We are not happy that the government has increased salaries to other sectors apart from University workers” said Kasina UASU Sec General.
KUSU Secretary General Machakos Chapter Sylvanus Mukai on his part said they will not accept anything less than the government signing and implementing the 2021 -2025 CBA and their balances from 2017 _2021.
Mukai accused the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on creating disparity among the Machakos University staff by increasing salaries for only the top University staff from grade 13 upwards and ignoring the rest.
“SRC has created too much disparity and disharmony in University staff by widening the gap between the highly and lowly paid which is quite unfair,” cried KUSU Secretary General.
Lastly, he declared that they will strike until they get a deal from the government and will ensure total shutdown of all activities in the university including the Administration, academic and technical staff.
By Anne Kangero
