Lecturers reject plans to pay them Sh4.7 billion

Lecturers have rejected the Government's plan to pay their Sh10 billion salary increment in phases.

The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Constatine Wasonga said he was surprised the Government wanted to change the initial agreement to pay the money at once.

The Government is said to be trying to renegotiate with Uasu to have them take Sh4.7 billion first then the rest in the second phase.

"This is a historical CBA that has a deadline of June 30, 2017. It cannot be implemented in phases. We did not negotiate for the phased payment plan proposed by the Ministry of Education and Inter Public Universities Consultative Council Forum (IPUCCF)," Wasonga said.

"Let the line ministry and National Treasury work out payments, which must be done on or before June 30, 2017."

However, some lecturers are of the opinion that the union should accept the plan.

Dons from Moi University, Maseno University, Rongo University and the University of Nairobi said some lecturers committed their salaries to other projects hoping to get the pay hike.

"We plead with you to accept what they have offered then start fresh negotiations to get the rest of the money," said a lecturer who did not wish to be named.

The lecturers, meeting in Kisumu, said they had been hit hard by the prevailing economic situation and that is why they needed the money urgently.

However, Dr Wasonga said they would take to the streets on July 1 if the money would not have been released. "Let them be cautioned that we are ready for a fresh strike."