Workers of public universities are in utter shock after their delayed salaries were paid, but at reduced rates by up to more than a half due to troubled State funding.
It has been revealed that numerous public universities have issued circulars to both teaching and non-teaching staff informing them that salary payments are no longer assured due to upcoming changes.
Universities have cited reduced and delayed capitation disbursements, indicating that full salary payments can no longer be guaranteed.
In some, salaries will now be cut by a range between 50 to 65 per cent.
This development has led the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) to announce a strike in September, which will coincide with the reopening of institutions for the new academic year.
“From September this year, there will be no learning in public universities. We are issuing a seven-day strike notice… there will be no university education in this country if the government doesn’t take this seriously,” said Secretary General Constance Wasonga.
Communications from universities to their staff highlight the severity of the crisis. In an internal memo seen by Education News, dated August 12, Professor Kirimi Kiriamiti, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration, Planning, and Strategy at Moi University, notified staff of a delay in the payment of salaries for July 2024.
“As you are aware, the University relies on capitation from the National Treasury for payment of salaries,” reads the circular. “This is to notify all members of staff that the university is yet to receive funds for payment of July, 2024 salaries from the National Treasury. Therefore, there shall be a delay in the payment of staff salaries for the month of July, 2024.”
On Wednesday, August 14, more than 3,000 university employees initiated a go-slow, abstaining from work to protest against frequent salary delays and workplace frustrations.
Led by UASU Moi University Chapter Secretary Richard Okero, they urged President Ruto to take action.
“We are asking the president, tomorrow when you open the city, come to Moi University,” said a staff member at the university on Wednesday, July 14.
President Ruto, speaking to a crowd in Ogembo, Kisii County on Wednesday, August 14, highlighted that the government has overhauled its approach to university funding, leading to a budget increase for higher education from Ksh45 billion to double that amount.
“I want to announce from Kisii that we have changed the delivery model because we have increased the money available for funding for our higher education. We have increased the money from Ksh45 billion to Ksh82 billion,” the president said.
Wasonga remarked on the increased capitation, noting that its impact was not noticeable.
“If the President injected the additional Ksh40 billion, why are we not feeling the impact?” he wondered. “But all in all, no learning in September. There will be no learning as from September.”
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By Frank Mugwe
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