Universities set to reopen as State concedes to Sh9.7 billion pay deal

Moi University lecturers demonstrate in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county. [File, Standard] The reopening of public universities now looks close after the government caved into lecturers' demands for Sh9.7 billion for increased pay. This now settles a long standing dispute between the lecturers' union and the government after the two parties disagreed on the amount required to actualise the pay increment. The government had initially disputed the lecturers' simulations that projected they would need up to Sh9.7 billion for the pay raise. However, the lecturers will get only Sh4.3 billion as the initial pay. But Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Constantine Wasonga says the union will not call off the strike until the government issues commitment on how the balance will be paid. "We are accepting the Sh4.3 billion but the government has to give a written commitment on how it will pay the balance of Sh5.4 billion. In our proposal, we want the balance to be paid in two tranches of Sh2.7 billion in 2025/2026 financial year and another Sh2.7 billion in 2026/2027 financial year," Dr Wasonga said. He spoke on Thursday while appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Education alongside officials of the Ministry of Education seeking to resolve the standoff that has seen lecturers down their tools for three weeks now. "Just to be clear, the strike is still on until we get the Sh9.7 billion. We will take the Sh4.3 billion and in turn the government must tell us how we are getting the Sh5.4 billion, and it must be done voluntarily. I must tell UASU members that the strike is on until you get the monies in your bank accounts," added Wasonga. During the meeting attended by Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala, Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime, and members of the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), it was also agreed that the two parties would initiate further negotiations to settle other urgent issues within the education sector. Parliamentary committee chair Julius Melly also directed that the stakeholders reach a consensus that would lead to the signing of an agreement and commitment on the implementation of the CBA. "It is in the interest of Kenyans that you go and sit down after this and agree on calling off the strike so that students can resume learning as early as tomorrow," said Melly. All parties consequently agreed to the talks. Notably, the lecturers strike began in October after negotiations between UASU and IPUCCF fell through. Of concern was the fact that despite the stakeholders signing a return-to-work formula in September, no agreement was ever reached on its implementation, which prompted the union to commence the strike. The stakeholders had signed a return-to-work formula in September but failed to agree on the details of its implementation, leading the union to declare the industrial action. The Labour court would later intervene and order both parties to reinstate discussions with a view of finding common ground. The meeting between the dons and the Ministry was the second attempt at mediation, this time led by members of the National Assembly. The mediation was first brokered by Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, between the Ministry of Education, IPUCCF, UASU and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU). But two weeks after, Wasonga led the lecturers back to the streets accusing the government of insincerity. "Our members have received October salaries but the adjustments have not been factored in. We will hold on to our services until they will feel like they want to listen to us. We know they listen well when under pressure," he said. The secretary general reiterated that the lecturers will keep off campuses until they are paid their dues. "The fear mongers will not deter our resolve," Wasonga said.

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