The government has announced possible resumption of studies across universities in the country, following the government’s decision to pay lecturers Sh9.7 billion in a long-standing dispute.
Speaking at the 13th Chuka University graduation ceremony in Tharaka Nithi County, Higher Education and Research PS Dr. Beatrice Inyangala said the government was in talks with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) to sign a return-to-work formula, which will see the lecturers return to work by Monday.
“We had talks with the union. We have accepted their Sh9.7 billion offer to settle their Collective Bargaining Agreements. A return-to-work formula is currently in discussions, and we hope to finalise the talks by this weekend and have the lecturers return to work immediately,” she said.
Dr. Inyangala noted that 18 universities across the country stood firmly with the students and continued teaching, despite the nationwide lecturers’ strike that halted programmes in a number of institutions of higher learning in the country.
“The lecturers’ national industrial action has posed a significant challenge to universities across the country, disrupting academic programmes and creating uncertainty for students and staff. 18 universities stood firmly with the students and shared our vision of continuing teaching and learning to enable students to go through their studies according to their academic programmes. One of the institutions is Chuka University, which created a win-win environment with its lecturers,” she emphasized.
The universities listed by the PS include Kenyatta University, Egerton University, University of Embu, Murang’a University of Technology, Tom Mboya University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology, Kirinyaga University, Kibabii University, Mama Ngina University College, Open University of Kenya, Tharaka University, Bomet University College, Turkana University College, Garissa University, Alupe University, and Koitalel Samoei University College.
The PS, taking note of the graduation theme, “Enhancing Global and National Sustainable Development through Quality Higher Education, Research, and Enterprise” said it resonated well with the Kenya Kwanza national development agenda, noting President William Ruto introduced the student-centred new university funding model, aimed at improving support for students to access university education.
She applauded the university for ensuring a shift towards new frontiers of funding through alternative revenue streams.
Chuka University Vice Chancellor Prof. Henry Mutembei noted his administration places a lot of focus on fiscal stability through internal budgetary controls that tighten balanced budgets and streamline processes that lay emphasis on expenses that support the university’s core mandate.
The VC said the university was diversifying revenue streams through their profitable Income Generating Units and mobilised research and development donor resources.
For instance, in the 2023-2024 academic year, the university attracted research projects worth over Sh170 million.
“I am happy to note our university is on an upward trajectory following the recent university webometrics ranking, where it was ranked at position 24 up from 37 in the previous year. This achievement is attributed to our collective efforts through robust web presence, visibility and transparency, and increased research activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the university remains committed to supporting the government’s agenda of making education accessible and affordable to all.
By David Mutwiiri and Blaise Gitonga
