University gives striking lecturers condition to earn pay

Moi University senate has called on striking lecturers to immediately resume teaching, even as the Government seeks a lasting solution to the stalemate.

A special senate meeting held on Tuesday at the main campus in Kesses asked the striking lecturers, who are pressing for the signing and adoption of a Collective Bargain Agreement (CBA), to return to class before they can be paid their salaries.

“All teaching staff are advised to indicate their readiness to resume teaching by signing with the heads of department immediately to enable us release salaries and start offering lectures from Thursday (today),” read part of the memo. “Our students continue to lose time to complete their academic programmes and graduate while lecturers have not had salaries,” said Vice Chancellor Isaac Kosgey.

A spot check at the main campus yesterday revealed that a number of students had started reporting back to the university.

Student union officials urged lecturers to heed to the senate call. Moi University Student Union (MUSO) President Isaac Choge said the most affected are students as most of them had paid fees.

He said it will be prudent if UASU enters an agreement with the ministry so that normal learning can resume.

The union officials from Moi University chapter have however stood their ground saying they will only report to work when their CBA is implemented. The lectures are on strike waiting for a complete negotiation and implementation of the 2017-2021 CBA.