Education CS Fred Matiangi [PHOTO/zipo.co.ke]
More than 9,000 lecturers who are participating in the current strike will not receive their salaries.
According to a communique from the Education ministry, Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has instructed public universities not to disburse any monies to the accounts of the striking dons.
Matiang’i wrote to all public university vice-chancellors on March 3 in supports of their decision to discipline the lecturers.
The action will include withholding February and subsequent salaries to any striking staff, the letter said.
Matiangi adds that the lecturers' unions should not withdraw their labour while still on the negotiating table.
However, this new directive is a sharp contrast to another one issued by Matiangi on February 23 where he distanced himself from the negotiations.
“I am constrained by the Constitution, the law, employment and labour relations practice from intervening in the ongoing negotiations because I believe the negotiating team is doing a good job,” said the Matiangi.
Moi University and the University of Nairobi have already issued warnings to their lecturers to either go back to work or face disciplinary action.
“All members of teaching staff are expected to report for duty on Tuesday, March 7 failure to which disciplinary action will be carried out at the individual level,” read a memo by Moi University vice-chancellor Laban Ayiro.