Learning at the University of Kabianga was paralyzed on November 24 after lecturers downed their tools, protesting against deplorable working conditions.
Led by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Kabianga University chapter secretary, the dons complained they did not have marker pens.
“In our university we do not have marker pens, lecturers have to go to bookshop to but their own marker pens yet students have paid school fees,” Ombati decried.
The UASU official went on to issue ultimatum to the university management to provide necessary working tools.
“Management should be able to provide working tools otherwise we give a 7 day strike notice,” he threatened.
The lecturers painted a grim picture of the challenges they face in executing their duties noting that they have to walk around carrying printing papers as the institution has neglected them.
Apart from stationery, the lecturers stated that they have unpaid claims dating back to seven years.
“The university does not pay our part-time claims, we have pending claims dating back to seven years.
Some of the students we taught back then have long since graduated and joined us here as fellow lecturers yet we have never been paid dues for teaching them,” the lecturers lamented.
The dons also accused the university of delaying their monthly salaries claiming the earliest they are paid is at midmonth unlike other government employees.
“Here they pay our salaries towards mid-month and yet government says you should receive your salary way before the month ends,” the dons complained.
Ombati also revealed that the university does not remit funds to their pension and healthcare schemes.
“Whenever they pay our salaries they deduct our pension but they do not remit to our pension schemes.
They deduct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) but when you go to a hospital you are told your dues have not been paid,” he lamented.
