Lecturers: State not keen to end strike

Maseno University students demonstrate at the institution on 1 February 2017 to force the government to end the ongoing lecturers strike which has now entered its second week. They asked the government to look for a speedy resolution in the stand off. Photo BY COLLINS ODUOR

Public university lecturers have accused the Government of lacking goodwill to resolve their industrial dispute.

University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) University of Nairobi Chapter Secretary George Omondi said failure by the Government to give a counter-offer as it had earlier promised was an indication it was not keen on resolving the strike.

Dr Omondi said they had neither received any invitation to review the proposal they had placed before the Government nor had they been called to negotiate.

"We had agreed they send a formal invitation. We waited the whole day yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday) for the invitation but there was none," said Omondi.

At the same time, the Inter-Public University Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) also failed to withdraw their case yesterday as directed by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.

The case was adjourned to a later date this month, giving room for the negotiating teams to complete the talks.

"We are bothered that the Cabinet Secretary had directed IPUCCF to withdraw the suit but this was not done. They went ahead and lied to the court that negotiations were ongoing while they are not. The Government looks like it's not acting in good faith," claimed Omondi.

He maintained the strike was still on and they would not budge until their demands are met.

University of Nairobi students yesterday took to the streets in solidarity with the tutors. They accused the State of lacking commitment to address the dispute.