[Uasin Gishu Public University lecturers during a past demonstration in Eldoret town. Photo/Hivisasa.com]
Striking public university lecturers in Uasin Gishu County are now accusing Vice Chancellors of invoking president Uhuru Kenyatta's name in what they claim, is a ploy to intimidate them.
University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) Moi University Chapter Secretary general Jack-Willis Abok has condemned the action, claiming the move has contributed to failure for negotiations into their demands to bear fruits.
Speaking in Eldoret, Wednesday, Abok challenged Kenyatta to take action and ensure relevant parties engage them with a view of bringing to an end the strike that has paralysed learning in all public universities.
"Some of the Vice Chancellors are already beginning to harass and intimidate union officials. They are invoking the name of the president which we think is a mistake. We should not bring the president's name into this strike," said Abok.
"The only way the president can come into this matter is to tell the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) to fast-track their part as we are doing our part. We don't want lecturers and specifically Uasu officials to be subjected to very unnecessary kind of torture and trauma," he added.
Lecturers have been on strike demanding for negotiations over their proposed 2013-2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement that would address several issues such as salary and allowances increment.