Uasin Gishu Senator Prof. Margaret Kamar at a past event in Eldoret town [Photo/Joe Khisa]
The Ministry of Education and University Academic Staff Union (UASU) officials have been asked to do negotiations over salary and allowances increment demands by striking lecturers.Uasin Gishu Senator Prof. Margaret Kamar says there is the need for learning in public universities to resume as soon as possible.Speaking in Eldoret, Sunday, Prof. Kamar expressed concerns that ongoing strike might disrupt academic calendar and force some students to spend more time than expected in universities.The Jubilee allied Senator who is also the former Higher education minister asked both parties not to take hard lines in the negotiations."It's a good thing to negotiate and both, the Ministry of Education and UASU officials should realize the long-term damage the strike can be to our youths at the affected universities," said Prof. Kamar."I think negotiations should be ongoing while students are learning not while they are at home because of the strike," she added.Public university lecturers across the country have been on strike since November 1 in a move to force the government to honour a pay increase that they were awarded this year.