The University of Nairobi (UoN) on Tuesday, November 12, ordered its academic staff to go back to work amid the ongoing nationwide lecturers’ strike that entered its third week today.
The University administration through acting Vice Chancellor Margaret Hutchinson, issued the directive urging all striking lecturers to return to their teaching duties immediately or face appropriate action.
She called the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the staff union that called for the nationwide strike, to dialogue and remain committed to the ongoing negotiations. “I therefore urge all the academic members of staff of the University of Nairobi to resume work with immediate effect,” she ordered.
The VC also directed deans and department chairs to conduct daily roll calls and submit the data to the university management for evaluation.
“Any faculty member found not fulfilling their employment obligations will face appropriate action as stipulated in their employment contracts and under the law,” Hutchinson warned, emphasizing individuals wishing to carry out their duties will be given free rein.
This decision comes in response to prolonged disruptions in academic activities due to the lecturers’ demands for better working conditions, pay, and a seven to ten per cent basic salary increment as well as a four per cent annual increase on their basic salary. UASU argues they need Ksh9.7 billion to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with the government, whereas the Ministry of Education has only presented a valuation of Ksh4.3 billion.
The acting VC lamented the industrial action has taken a toll on teaching activities in public universities as well as other operations like research and community service.
“While the university management fully acknowledges the importance of the concerns raised by the academic staff, we remain committed to addressing these issues through collaborative efforts with all stakeholders involved,” she added.
It comes as the UASU maintains their strike continues until their demands are met by the government.
Public university lecturers downed tools on Tuesday, October 29 over delayed payment of salary arrears owed and failure in the implementation of the 2021-2025 CBA they had inked with the government in 2021.
This comes as the scheduled meeting between the National Assembly Committee on Education, Vice Chancellors, and UASU officials on Tuesday failed to bear any fruit after the parties did not reach an agreement due to the government’s delay in the release of funds as salaries.
The Committee determined the Ministries of Education, Labour, and National Treasury will issue a way forward on the government’s position on the disbursement of the funds.
