Some of the striking dons take to the streets for protest. xnewsLecturers on Thursday resumed protests to push for the implementation of their 2013-17 collective bargaining agreement.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) on March 13, signed the Sh10 billion CBA to bring to an end the strike that started on January 19.The strike kicked off after the Education ministry failed to implement the CBA by June 30 and instead chose to pay the dons in phases.The signed CBA had awarded lecturers a 17.5 per cent salary rise and a 3.2 per cent increase in house allowance.Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Friday said Sh4.775 billion had been wired to 31 universities last week as part of the payment of the CBA.The CS refuted claims of a crisis saying government was committed to implementing the deal.He said the remaining part of the payment would be factored into the forthcoming budgetary allocation to universities.However, Uasu leaders last week gave Matiangi a seven-day ultimatum to pay the remaining part of the money.Uasu Secretary General Constantine Wesonga said the implementation of the CBA in installments violates terms of the agreement.“The higher education sector in Kenya today is nearly comatose. The future of the youth in our varsities is in limbo, yet the government still does not listen,” Wesonga said in a statement.“The Education CS seems to be on sabbatical, perhaps to return to bury education, the future of the youth and that of the country.”