Dedan Kimathi University workers down tools over 'poor' allowances

Anxiety has gripped Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri after 300 workers went on strike demanding increased allowances.

Some of the workers claim they earn Sh4,000 in commuter allowance while their colleagues in other universities take home as much as Sh16,000. Kenya University Staff Union chairman Eric Murage led the workers in downing their tools on Monday and staged a sit-in at the university’s main campus. They had not resumed work by yesterday and vowed to stay put until their demands are met.

“The university is not treating its staff well. We demand immediate increase of our allowances, otherwise we shall not go back to work,” Murage said yesterday.

He said a section of senior staff at the university earn as much as Sh100,000 in commuter allowance while they continue to suffer. “We have held talks with the management over the allowances since 2010 but they have always taken us round in circles. We feel short-changed and tired,” Murage added.