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Appearing before the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday, UASU Chairperson Muga K'olale accused the universities of economically depriving members of the teaching staff taking part in the programmes, saying their pay is not commensurate with the amount of money collected by universities through parallel programmes/FILE

Kenya

After teachers, lecturers sound strike call

UASU is accusing the government of illegally introducing a 3rd phase without consulting with the various university unions/FILE

UASU is accusing the government of illegally introducing a 3rd phase without consulting with the various university unions/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 30 – The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) now wants the government to pay their salaries as negotiated and agreed in two phases.

UASU is accusing the government of illegally introducing a 3rd phase without consulting with the various university unions.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, UASU Secretary General Muga Kolale warned that they will down their tools if the government fails to deliver the remaining amount of Sh3.9 billion in the second phase by August 5.

“In the event there is miscarriage of justice… in the event that the government manufactures propaganda and lies to explain itself, we shall respond in the most articulated and respected ways to mitigate this from happening,” he warned.

Kolale said they will not embark on negotiations again saying the government had committed itself to pay the Sh7.8 billion agreed in two phases.

“As a result of the agreement, called Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2010/2013, the government through the Minister for Finance Hon Robinson Githae, committed itself to pay Sh7.8 billion in two phases,” he said.

Kolale asked the government to demonstrate fidelity to the rule of law by paying them without delay.

“This year, our budget has not been factored and we raised this after which the government allegedly factored in Sh3.9 billion. But now, they want to introduce a third phase on the same,” he said.

He revealed that they have received instructions from the government through the Salaries and Remuneration Commission that they embark on negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

“The government that has persistently and consistently reminded us that nobody has the luxury to either respect or not respect the law has now changed its goal posts to now saying it cannot pay as promised,” he complained.

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Kolale added; “As union leaders, we are unable to keep holding our members from their constant beckoning to us to let them out to demand their rights as promised by the government.”

“The government must stop relegating workers of this country to the insignificant role of having to turn into beggars in street to get this agreement honoured.”

“We are not Red Cross that we offer our services for free. When you see a frog jumping during the day, there is a reason,” he charged.

Speaking at the forum, the Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya asked the government to release the amount to avoid another national strike in the country.

“Some of us are very lethal when it comes to striking. We shall not fear being arrested. Jails are not meant for animals,” he said.

He urged the government to improve the working conditions of workers in the education sector for them to deliver quality services.

“If they fail to honour this agreement, let the government prepare to close down all public universities and their constituent colleges,” he said.

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