Wanachama wa Chama cha Wahadhiri wa Vyuo Vikuu (UASU) wameanza mgomo wao licha ya Hazina ya Taifa kutoa KSh. 2.5 bilioni kwa ajili ya utekelezaji wa awamu ya pili ya mkataba wa pamoja wa 2021–2025. Wahadhiri kutoka Chuo Kikuu cha Nairobi (UoN) na Chuo Kikuu cha Maseno waligoma Septemba 17, 2025 wakidai serikali imeshindwa kutimiza makubaliano ya kifedha yaliyowekwa kwenye mikataba ya pamoja ya kazi (CBAs).
Katibu wa tawi la UASU UoN, Dkt. Maloba Wekesa, alisema serikali imewaangusha wahadhiri kwa kushindwa kulipa malimbikizo ya KSh. 7.9 bilioni chini ya CBA ya 2017 licha ya uamuzi wa mahakama uliowataka waajiri kutekeleza makubaliano hayo. Aidha, alieleza kuwa wahadhiri wamegeuzwa kama waombaomba, huku serikali ikichelewesha malipo kwa miezi mitatu na kukiuka ahadi za utekelezaji wa makubaliano.
Viongozi wengine wa vyama, akiwemo Katibu wa KUSU tawi la Nairobi, Peter Waita, na Katibu Mkuu wa muda wa UASU katika Chuo Kikuu cha Moi, Dkt. Dan Mukhwana, walisema hawatasitisha mgomo hadi serikali itakapolipa madeni yote na kuanza mazungumzo mapya ya CBA ya 2025–2029. Mgomo huu pia umeenea katika vyuo vingine vikiwemo Egerton na Kisii, ambapo wahadhiri wanasema hawatarudi darasani mpaka fedha zao ziwe zimeingia kwenye akaunti zao.
======
Members of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) have commenced its strike despite a shot in the arm from the National Treasury
UASU lecturers at the University of Nairobi (UON) and Maseno University downed their tools on Wednesday, arguing that their financial demands have still not been met as agreed in the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). This after Treasury released Ksh.2.5 billion to be utilized in the implementation of Phase 2 of the 2021-2025 CBAs in a bid to quell the impending strike
Speaking on Wednesday, UASU Chapter Secretary at UoN Dr. Maloba Wekesa said that the State has failed lecturers and all pending fiscal arrears have not yet been honored
He said that Ksh.7.9 billion in owed arrears under the 2017 CBA has not yet been paid despite the court ruling in favour of terms agreed in the agreements
"Members of staff have been reduced to beggars. Phase 2 was meant to have been paid. We gave the government 7 days to act after a 3-month delay," he said on a CBA signed on November 2024
"In 2017-2021 we had a similar CBA. It took 36 months for the government to pen down an agreement. We were denied a yearly increment. Courts said go ahead and implement. On March 25th 2025, the court ruled in favour."
He added that the government had promised to fully implement the CBAs and "it has been crickets, silence" since then
"UoN staffers healthcare matters taken for granted, management should address these matters."
The Nairobi branch Secretary for Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) Peter Waita added that lecturers have been denied what is rightfully theirs
He asserted that lecturers will not relent until their dues are paid
"The government continues to neglect workers. They must implement 2017-2021, 2022-2025 CBAs and initiate negotiations for 2025-2029 CBA," Waita noted
UASU's Moi University Acting Secretary General Dr. Dan Mukhwana said that the strike will only end if the government honours its end of the deal
"Our CBA of four years ago has not been implemented. If that money isn't paid, we are not returning to classes. The next cycle started in July. We have not been given a counteroffer, we must strike." he said
"We will strike until the deal is concluded. If the money has not hit members' accounts. The Vice Chancellor of UON must wake up and make decisions and if you can't quit."
Similar strikes have also commenced at Egerton and Kisii Universities
Source: CITIZEN KENYA
