The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Bomet University College Chapter has called on Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba to take firm control of his ministry and resist what it termed as diversionary advice from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) regarding the implementation of the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Speaking to journalists at Bomet University College on Tuesday, the chapter’s chairman, Dr Sangura Ramari accused the SRC of misleading the Ministry of Education by claiming that university lecturers have already been paid the salary increments and arrears provided for in the CBA.
He described the statement as inaccurate and insensitive to the realities faced by universities across the country.
“It is wrong for the SRC to claim that the 2017–2021 CBA has been fully paid. The truth is that many universities have not received the necessary funds. Those that tried to meet the obligations from their internal reserves are now struggling to stay operational,” said Dr. Sangura.
Accompanied by the chapter’s Organising Secretary, Dr Mulalu, Dr. Sangura noted that some universities that have honored part of the CBA using their limited resources are now financially strained and unable to meet essential obligations such as staff promotions, research facilitation, and infrastructural maintenance.
He urged the government to replace the funds spent by these institutions to enable them to run their operations smoothly.
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The lecturer warned that lecturers will not relent in their ongoing industrial action until the government fully honours the CBA.
“We are ready to escalate and upscale the strike until the deal is honoured. Lecturers have been patient for too long, but we will not continue to teach under unfair and unfulfilled promises,” he stated.
Dr. Sangura further urged MoE to treat university dons with fairness and respect, noting that the CBA must be implemented in full to restore industrial harmony in higher education.
He wondered why the government was quick to implement CBAs for other public servants, such as Teachers Service Commission (TSC) employees, yet has repeatedly delayed doing so for lecturers.
“TSC staffs have already signed their CBA, but university lecturers who train the top cream of the nation are still waiting. This double standard is unacceptable,” he said.
The lecturers’ union boss lamented that the prolonged strike has disrupted the academic calendar and subjected students to emotional distress and idleness.
He expressed concern that many students are now loitering around campuses, while some are engaging in risky behaviour due to frustration and lack of guidance.
“The ongoing university strike has made the situation worse. Students are frustrated and some have resorted to uncalled-for and indecent activities just to get by. This is not the environment we want for our young people,” said Dr. Sangura.
He appealed to the national government to initiate sincere dialogue with the lecturers’ unions to resolve the stalemate.
“We are also parents and we want to go back to class. Our call is simple, let the government fulfill the CBA agreement, respect the teaching profession, and restore normalcy in our institutions,” he remarked.
By Philip Koech
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