50% Pay Cuts, Salary Delays Shock Public University Staff
Workers at public universities are reeling from a recent development where their delayed salaries were paid at significantly reduced rates, with some seeing reductions of more than 50%. This alarming situation has arisen due to severe funding challenges faced by the State.
It was disclosed that several public universities have issued internal communications to both teaching and non-teaching staff, warning them that salary payments are no longer guaranteed due to anticipated changes.
These universities have pointed to the reduction and delays in capitation disbursements, making it impossible to ensure full salary payments. As a result, salary cuts ranging between 50% and 65% have been implemented in some institutions.
Strike
In response to these developments, the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has announced plans to strike in September, coinciding with the reopening of institutions for the new academic year.
The union expressed their frustrations, with Secretary General Constance Wasonga indicating that there would be no learning in public universities starting in September if the government did not address the issue seriously. The UASU issued a seven-day strike notice as a warning.
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Universities have been communicating the severity of the crisis to their staff through internal memos. One such memo, dated August 12 and seen by Education News, came from Professor Kirimi Kiriamiti, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration, Planning, and Strategy at Moi University.
The memo informed staff of a delay in the payment of July 2024 salaries due to the university not receiving the necessary funds from the National Treasury.
“From September this year, there will be no learning in public universities. We are issuing a seven-day strike notice,” said Secretary General Constance Wasonga.
The memo stressed that the university’s reliance on capitation from the National Treasury for salary payments was the cause of the delay.
Calls for Government Action
On August 14, over 3,000 university employees began a go-slow, abstaining from work in protest against the frequent salary delays and ongoing workplace frustrations.
Led by UASU Moi University Chapter Secretary Richard Okero, the staff called on President William Ruto to intervene. A staff member voiced the plea for the president to visit Moi University when he opens the city the following day.
Government’s Response and Union’s Doubts
On the same day, President Ruto addressed the crowd in Ogembo, Kisii County, where he discussed the government’s recent overhaul of the university funding model.
He announced that the budget for higher education had been significantly increased from Ksh45 billion to Ksh82 billion. The president stated that the change in the funding model was aimed at improving the availability of funds for higher education.
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However, Wasonga expressed skepticism about the impact of the increased capitation. He questioned why the additional Ksh40 billion injected by the president had not made a noticeable difference in the universities.
Despite the announced funding increase, the union maintained that no learning would take place from September, reaffirming their strike plans.
50% Pay Cuts, Salary Delays Shock Public University Staff
