Central Organization of Trade Unions of Kenya (COTU-K) has appealed to both the government and the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) to embrace dialogue, saying the industrial action had dragged on for too long, denying thousands of students their right to education.
Speaking on Friday, October 31, at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu during a capacity-building forum for women unionists, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said he is ready to mediate in the ongoing lecturers’ strike that has paralysed learning across all public universities in the country.
Atwoli expressed concern over the handling of the strike, noting that although UASU had not formally sought COTU’s intervention, the umbrella workers’ body was ready to step in to help resolve the impasse.
He said the manner in which the standoff was being managed was not pleasing, adding that the government and union officials should move swiftly to restore normalcy in universities.
“I want to appeal to the government, though the union representing lecturers has not written to us for assistance, we would have intervened a long time ago and assisted them to end the strike. What I see on television is not pleasing. We want our children to be taught and to get education from our universities. This impasse must be resolved immediately,” said Atwoli.
The veteran trade unionist revealed that COTU had been receiving enquiries from international labour organisations over the prolonged strike, warning that the standoff was tarnishing Kenya’s image globally.
“We get a lot of calls from Education International and other organisations overseas asking what is happening in Kenya. We would like very much to intervene and ensure the government and the lecturers reach an agreement,” he said.
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Atwoli also advised UASU Secretary General Dr. Constantine Wasonga to formally engage COTU, saying the federation’s mechanisms for negotiation had helped resolve numerous industrial disputes in the past.
“It is always good when they have a problem to officially write to us so that we can assist them to enter into a meaningful agreement with the government,” he added.
The nationwide lecturers’ strike, now in its third week, has disrupted learning in more than 30 public universities.
The dons, through their union, are demanding the full implementation of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which includes salary arrears and improved working conditions.
On Wednesday, UASU Secretary General Dr Constantine Wasonga maintained that the strike would continue until the government meets all the union’s demands, accusing the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) of frustrating efforts to implement the deal.
“We are not resuming duty until the government honours the CBA. Our members have been patient for too long,” he said at a press briefing in Nairobi.
Today Friday, UASU secretary general Dr. Constantine Wasonga maintained that the lecturers won’t accept their Ksh 7.9 Billion arrears to be settled in two phases as the government had stated.
The Union is accusing the government of using agreements which they rarely fulfill once the strikes are called off.
The Ministry of Education has appealed to the lecturers to call off the strike and allow negotiations to proceed, but UASU has stood its ground, insisting that only a binding commitment from the government will end the stalemate.
Atwoli’s offer to mediate now raises hopes of a possible breakthrough in the crisis that has crippled higher education and left thousands of students stranded across the country.
By Fredrick Odiero
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