By Grace Wekesa

Three unions representing lecturers and non-teaching staff at Masinde Muliro University have issued a strike notice over non-remittance of dues.

The University Academic Staff Union (Uasu), Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotel, Education Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (Kudheiha) and Universities Non-Teaching Staff Union (Untesu) said strike action was the only option left to force the management to act.

Uasu’s chairperson (Mmust chapter) Susan Choge, Untesu secretary Kennedy Ochieng and Kudheiha’s shop steward Ernest Kabaji, in a signed notice, accused the management of withholding their deductions.

 Loan penalties

They urged their members to converge for a joint picketing today at the institution’s graduation square to deliberate on the matter.

Ms Choge disclosed that apart from delays in salary payments, lecturers conducting the parallel programme are owed almost Sh100,000 each in arrears.

“Unless the money is paid in full, our members will cease to undertake any services in the parallel programme,” she warned.

She wondered why the university was not paying members allowances yet the students pay fees.

The officials said their Sacco had suffered penalties as a result of the non-remittance and, therefore, their members could not meet their financial obligations to the bank.

“The concerned bank has referred our Sacco to Credit Reference Bureau for defaulting in payment of loans,” said Ochieng.

Ochieng and Kabaji alleged there was discrimination in promotion and stagnation in grades for the last nine years.

“Our members and Untesu members have not been provided with uniforms and protective gear for the past two years,” Kabaji said.

Cash already spent

However, Vice Chancellor Baraza Wangila asked for more time to respond conclusively on the grievances, stating that he had just resumed from his leave.

Prof Wangila also said the said monies were used in the construction of a new building and will be refunded when they receive their budget allocation.

He admitted that as a result of non-remittance of the workers deductions and payment of tax accruing from the money, Kenya Revenue Authority has penalised the institution over Sh37 million.