By Mutuvi Janet
Employment and Labour Relations court’s Justice David Nderitu has advised the Egerton University fraternity to sit down and settle in-house disputes among themselves or else the university will collapse.
Nderitu made the remarks when he declined to rule whether a 15th November, 2021 strike by Egerton University Academic Staff Union (UASU) was legal or not.
He ruled that it would be unprocedural for the court to rule on the legality of the strike since it was not pleaded in a claim filed on 18th January, 2022.
The strike that persisted until March this year, saw some UASU members deducted about 40 per cent of their salaries, while others up to 60 per cent of their salaries.
The judge said that the issues had brought poor working relationships among stake-holders in the institution thus affecting the running of the university.
He further ruled that the university Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Isaac Kibwage should file a case in relation to the legal strike and involve UASU members.
“The issue about the Egerton university strike on 15th November, 2021 which is claimed to be issued by Dr Grace Kibue, the Egerton University Academic Staff Union (UASU) secretary will not be handled without involving UASU .The UASU should be involved for the court to determine the right outcome,” said Nderitu.
He added: “The VC should not conduct any disciplinary action against Dr Kibue since there is no evidence according to the court that showed that she illegally carried out her duties as a secretary. There is no prove that Kibue stormed in an examination room to stop lecturers from issuing papers.”
