NAIROBI, Kenya – The government is facing criticism from Members of Parliament after failing to provide written assurance on a Sh4.3 billion promise made to university lecturers as part of a settlement to end a month-long strike.
The National Assembly’s Education Committee, led by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, has summoned National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to explain why there has been no formal commitment for the funds, despite verbal assurances made on September 28 by Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime.
“Next Tuesday, we will have the Cabinet Secretaries for Treasury, Labour, and Education here to address this issue,” said Melly. “It’s unacceptable that this matter continues to be dealt with through verbal promises without any written commitment.”
University staff have been on strike since last month, protesting the lack of adherence to the return-to-work formula agreed upon for the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The government’s verbal offer to resolve the strike, made during an inter-ministerial committee meeting with representatives from the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers Union (KUDHEIHA), has yet to be formalized, leaving lecturers and support staff without a clear resolution.
The lack of documented assurance has been a significant concern for MPs, including Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara, who underscored the need for accountability on such a substantial financial commitment.
“Sh4.3 billion is not pocket change. We need a formal document from the government confirming this offer,” Obara stated.
The committee session, held on Wednesday, featured IPUCCF Chairman and Taita Taveta University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Fred Simiyu, who had led the earlier negotiation rounds with the unions.
However, the meeting ended abruptly after MPs learned that IPUCCF had not presented the requested letter of commitment.
Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala had earlier written to the Treasury, requesting a formal response, but it has yet to be addressed.
“Three meetings in, and we still don’t have a commitment letter from the Treasury,” said Kibra MP Peter Orero. “This committee cannot be held hostage while students are stuck at home.”
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga reiterated that without formal documentation from the Treasury, the union considers the government’s offer as mere “hearsay.”
The lecturers’ union remains adamant that the strike will persist until the promised funds are guaranteed in writing, allowing for the implementation of the CBA.
The National Assembly’s Education Committee, led by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, has summoned National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to explain why there has been no formal commitment for the funds, despite verbal assurances made on September 28 by Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime.
“Next Tuesday, we will have the Cabinet Secretaries for Treasury, Labour, and Education here to address this issue,” said Melly. “It’s unacceptable that this matter continues to be dealt with through verbal promises without any written commitment.”
University staff have been on strike since last month, protesting the lack of adherence to the return-to-work formula agreed upon for the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The government’s verbal offer to resolve the strike, made during an inter-ministerial committee meeting with representatives from the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers Union (KUDHEIHA), has yet to be formalized, leaving lecturers and support staff without a clear resolution.
The lack of documented assurance has been a significant concern for MPs, including Kabondo Kasipul MP Eve Obara, who underscored the need for accountability on such a substantial financial commitment.
“Sh4.3 billion is not pocket change. We need a formal document from the government confirming this offer,” Obara stated.
The committee session, held on Wednesday, featured IPUCCF Chairman and Taita Taveta University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Fred Simiyu, who had led the earlier negotiation rounds with the unions.
However, the meeting ended abruptly after MPs learned that IPUCCF had not presented the requested letter of commitment.
Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangala had earlier written to the Treasury, requesting a formal response, but it has yet to be addressed.
“Three meetings in, and we still don’t have a commitment letter from the Treasury,” said Kibra MP Peter Orero. “This committee cannot be held hostage while students are stuck at home.”
UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga reiterated that without formal documentation from the Treasury, the union considers the government’s offer as mere “hearsay.”
The lecturers’ union remains adamant that the strike will persist until the promised funds are guaranteed in writing, allowing for the implementation of the CBA.
