NAIROBI, Kenya – The University of Nairobi (UoN) has ordered all academic staff to return to work immediately, as it grapples with the impact of the nationwide lecturers’ strike that has stalled learning and research activities across public universities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, UoN Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Hutchinson emphasized the disruption the strike has caused not only to academic programs but also to vital university operations, such as research initiatives and community outreach.
Lecturers have been on strike since October 29, citing unpaid salary arrears and demands for a salary increase as outlined in the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
“While the university management fully acknowledges the importance of the concerns raised by the academic staff, we remain committed to addressing these issues through collaborative efforts with all stakeholders involved,” stated Prof. Hutchinson, underscoring the university’s willingness to seek a resolution.
To enforce the directive, Hutchinson instructed that deans and department heads conduct daily roll calls and report on staff attendance.
She added that any faculty members failing to meet their contractual obligations would face disciplinary measures, as per employment agreements and legal provisions.
“No individual will be permitted to incite or intimidate those wishing to carry out their duties during this time,” she noted, referring to the university’s resolve to safeguard non-striking staff from intimidation amid the ongoing dispute.
The standoff between lecturers, represented by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), and public universities continues as UASU demands full implementation of the CBA, which promised a basic salary increase of 7 to 10 percent based on academic rank, along with a 4 percent annual increment.
However, the government has allocated just Ksh.4.3 billion of the Ksh.9.7 billion needed to honor the agreement, leaving lecturers and the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) to present their grievances to the National Assembly Committee on Education.
Adding complexity to the matter, an Employment and Labour Relations Court ruling last month declared the strike unprotected, although UASU has vowed to maintain the industrial action until their demands are met.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, UoN Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Hutchinson emphasized the disruption the strike has caused not only to academic programs but also to vital university operations, such as research initiatives and community outreach.
Lecturers have been on strike since October 29, citing unpaid salary arrears and demands for a salary increase as outlined in the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
“While the university management fully acknowledges the importance of the concerns raised by the academic staff, we remain committed to addressing these issues through collaborative efforts with all stakeholders involved,” stated Prof. Hutchinson, underscoring the university’s willingness to seek a resolution.
To enforce the directive, Hutchinson instructed that deans and department heads conduct daily roll calls and report on staff attendance.
She added that any faculty members failing to meet their contractual obligations would face disciplinary measures, as per employment agreements and legal provisions.
“No individual will be permitted to incite or intimidate those wishing to carry out their duties during this time,” she noted, referring to the university’s resolve to safeguard non-striking staff from intimidation amid the ongoing dispute.
The standoff between lecturers, represented by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), and public universities continues as UASU demands full implementation of the CBA, which promised a basic salary increase of 7 to 10 percent based on academic rank, along with a 4 percent annual increment.
However, the government has allocated just Ksh.4.3 billion of the Ksh.9.7 billion needed to honor the agreement, leaving lecturers and the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) to present their grievances to the National Assembly Committee on Education.
Adding complexity to the matter, an Employment and Labour Relations Court ruling last month declared the strike unprotected, although UASU has vowed to maintain the industrial action until their demands are met.
