University dons down tools despite court terming strike unprotected

Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) members have started their nationwide strike.

UASU members downed their tools following the failure by the government to honour the 2013-2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) entered in 2013.

The CBA awarded them a pay rise and if implemented would also see the working conditions improved as well as more lecturers recruited to bridge the current deficit.

In Machakos, UASU members downed their tools saying they will only call it off once the CBA is implemented in full.

Led by the Secretary General, Njoki Ndugu, the dons maintained they would not go back to work until the government meets their demands.

Elsewhere in Egerton University, the workers also joined their colleagues in the strike carrying placards while demonstrating along the university streets demanding implementation of the CBA.

The strike commenced despite a Labour and Employment Court ruling that pronounced it illegal, effectively warning members of UASU from participating in it saying that it was unprotected.

Enock Muswi and Simon Ngure contributed to this report