University of Nairobi Orders Striking Lecturers Back to Work or Face Action.
The University of Nairobi (UoN) has instructed its academic staff to immediately return to work despite the ongoing nationwide lecturers’ strike.
The industrial action, which started on October 29, was launched by lecturers from public universities in response to delays in salary arrears and demands for a pay raise.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Margaret Hutchinson reported that the strike has not only disrupted teaching and learning activities at Kenya’s largest university but has also impacted other essential functions, including research and community service.
Hutchinson conveyed the university management’s acknowledgment of the lecturers’ grievances, stating that they are dedicated to resolving these concerns in partnership with all relevant stakeholders.
Hutchinson instructed all academic staff to resume their responsibilities without delay. She emphasized that deans and department heads would oversee daily roll calls, which would then be reported to university management.
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She warned that any faculty member who fails to fulfill their contractual obligations will face appropriate disciplinary action as outlined in their employment terms and under legal regulations.
Hutchinson also stressed that no individual would be allowed to incite or intimidate others who choose to continue their duties amid the ongoing strike.
Court Ruling and Strike Legitimacy
Hutchinson referred to a recent ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court, which declared the strike unprotected. This ruling underscores the university management’s stance on staff compliance with contractual responsibilities during the dispute.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has declared that the strike will persist until the lecturers’ demands under the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) are fulfilled. The CBA stipulates a basic salary increase ranging from 7% to 10%, depending on the job grade, along with an additional 4% annual increment.
However, implementing these terms would require Ksh.9.7 billion, an amount the Ministry of Education has yet to fully provide, having allocated only Ksh.4.3 billion to date. This funding shortfall has been a core issue fueling the strike.
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In an effort to resolve the dispute, representatives from UASU and the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) are scheduled to meet with the National Assembly Committee on Education.
This meeting aims to address and potentially negotiate solutions to the financial and policy constraints affecting the fulfillment of the CBA terms.
University of Nairobi Orders Striking Lecturers Back to Work or Face Action.
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