The Universities Academic Staff Union, (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union, (KUSU) chapters of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) have vowed to press on with the industrial action until all their demands are met.
Led by their officials, the chapters maintained that they will make that learning is completely paralyzed at the institution until the government act accordingly.
JOOUST UASU Secretary General Dr. Francis Odundo noted that the national strike is to demand for the arrears of the CBA 2021-2025 which has not been paid to date. He added that there are internal grievances that have not been addressed by the University Management.
Dr. Odundo highlighted that the strike is also necessitated by the lack of a medical cover since June 2025 to date. He said that members of staff have not been given protective gear for three years now and that staff do not even have marker pen to write on the white board.
“It’s regrettable that we are on strike for basic things including bar soap which is also given two pieces per month but has not been given for three years now. We are on strike because loans are not remitted after deductions. We are on strike because pension is being deducted but not remitted to the banks. We have resolved to have this strike once and for all and we are ready for any consequences,” Dr. Odundo insisted.
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He also regretted that lecture halls are packed to capacity with students ready to learn but the University is poorly resourced making it difficult for the lecturers to deliver.
Allan Chelule, KUSU secretary at JOOUST reiterated that the strike is legal and protected over the CBA 2021-2025 which is yet to be respected. He also regretted that the negotiations and completions of the 2025-2029 CBA are not taking good shape.
“As KUSU JOOUST chapter, we also have an internal CBA 2021-2015 which has not been negotiated. It gives us the right for commuter allowance as the cost of living has gone up, price of fuel goes up monthly yet our commuter allowance is still that same that we got five years ago. The medical cover is not resolved by the union and the management. Members continue suffering and have to self-diagnose and medicate because they can’t afford to go to hospitals.” He noted
Hosea Ngoje of KUDHEIHA union says they won’t go back to work until all the grievances are met.
By Erick Nyayiera
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