Lecturers to file response on strike in 14 days

By John Muthoni

Nairobi, Kenya: The Industrial Court in Nairobi has allowed university lecturers and non-academic staff to file their response stating why they are entitled to go on strike.

The dons appeared before Justice Monicah Mbaru after they boycotted last week’s session, which prompted the court to order that they be served through the media. The court had warned that it would give further orders against them if they failed to show up yesterday.

The lecturers asked the court to allow them to file their reply within 14 days.

The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), representing the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum, wants the representatives of the university lecturers and the Government to hold discussions and arrive at a negotiated agreement.

The lecturers and non-academic staff through their unions, however, argue it is their constitutional right to down their tools. They said they had no option but to boycott their duties over what they termed misappropriation of funds by vice chancellors.

Lecturers have also accused university councils of violating the Constitution and failing to implement part of the 2008-2010 collective bargaining agreement. The parties in the case had been directed to appear before Justice Mbaru on Monday at 9am for further directions.