Kenya: Lecturers to Begin Third Strike This Year Over Salary Issues

Due to an upcoming lecturers' strike scheduled to commence from Wednesday, education in Kenya is set to remain stand still.

This will be the third strike to take place this year in an academic year that has also been disrupted by two presidential elections.

Constantine Wasonga, the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) secretary-general has asked all lecturers at the 31 government universities not to resume duty pending till government addresses their demands.

"There is no turning back unless government implements the new rates for both basic salary and house allowance. It is time to strike, strike and strike," Dr Wasonga said.

He maintained that the only language government understands is strike.

"I, therefore, urge all chapter secretaries and union leaders from all UASU chapters to rally their members behind the strike and ensure it is launched in all chapters so that we can redeem the worth of dons," he said.

He announced that the strike will be launched at the University of Nairobi grounds on Wednesday at exactly 8am after the expiry of a 21-day notice that was issued earlier in October.

Universities said they have not received communication from the Ministry of Education over the funds which is the basic reason for the strike.

Inter-Public University Councils Consultative Forum chairman Paul Kanyari said universities are still waiting for the fund from the government.

"We request enduring industrial harmony so that any attendant matters can be resolved expeditiously and to the benefit of all stakeholders without prejudicing the amenity currently being experienced," Prof Kanyari said.

The failure in implementing the new salary scales is due to a financial shortfall being experienced.

The government released Sh10 billion for the payment of arrears in June but resorted to the old salaries after the money finished..