Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
University Academic Staff Union and Kenya University Staff Union officials have protested an order by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi that put employees under contracts.
The directive by Dr. Matiangi is to take effect next year.
But the union leaders say the move by the CS is illegal and ill-advised.
UASU secretary general Constantine Wasonga termed the move a diversion from the ongoing lecturers’ strike following failure to implement the 2013-2017 CBA.
Wasonga argues the directive would also go against the unions’ Collective Bargaining Agreement that championed the permanent employment of staff at a certain level.
“The attack on employment contracts for university staff is illegal, unconstitutional and a breach of employment laws in the country,” he said on Thursday.
Kenya University Staff Union secretary general Charles Mukhwaya said the directive could worsen the “already poor working conditions”.
“This is a discriminatory attack on university employees. University employees are equal to other public sector employees and nobody ever suggested the others are put on contract and non-pensionable terms,” he said.