Varsity staff go on strike to demand hardship allowances

Staff at Laikipia University in Nyahururu have gone on strike to protest the failure by the management to pay them hardship allowances.

On Friday, the more than 400 workers downed their tools and vowed not to resume work until all their allowances were paid.

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission had directed that all the 478 staff be given the allowance as from 2015. The allowances have since accumulated to over Sh100 million.

The institution lies in counties classified as hardship areas.

The Kenya University Staff Union Laikipia branch chairman Macharia Gichobi, who led the protests said they would not resume work until their demands are met.

The institution Vice-Chancellor Francis Lelo said the issue had been delayed due to financial constraints occasioned by the national government.

He said a meeting with the union would be held this week to seek the way forward.