Lecturers say govt offer an insult to dons

The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) leaders have laughed off the 3.2 % salary increment offer made by the government, terming it as a joke to the dons in the country.

The leaders, who were appearing before the Senate’s Education Committee on Tuesday, February 28, insisted that they will only call off the strike that has paralyzed learning in public universities for six weeks now if the government improves on its Ksh 10 billion offer.

Led by the union Chairperson, Prof Muga K’Olale, UASU maintains that the offer by the government currently cannot warrant calling off the strike.

“We have calculated the Ksh 10 billion, it is far too much inadequate for entire university staff. Once the Ksh 10 billion is enhanced and the pension component removed, we will consider signing the CBA and resuming duty,” said the chairperson.

On his part, UASU Secretary General, Constantine Wasonga, told the Senate Committee that the government is not committed to negotiate with the dons and end the strike, terming the Ksh 10 billion offer by the government as a ‘slap in the face of dons’.

“When we had packaged this Ksh 10 billion we realized that it was translating to 3.2 % for basic salary and 1.6% for allowances, as a union we felt that this was a slap in the face of dons,” explained Wasonga.

The Senate Education Committee, however, assured the union leaders of their commitment to finding a solution that will end the strike menace, pleading with them to call off the strike.

The committee chairperson, who is also Kirinyaga County Senator, Daniel Karaba, acknowledged that they understand the grievances made by the union.

“You can trust the Senate is on your side, we will ensure that your grievances have been met but please call off the strike,” pleaded the Kirinyaga Senator.

The union, which has previously argued that a university professor should earn a salary of at least Ksh 1 million after tax, said that it will brief its members on the senate proceedings to know their views.