NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 5 – The Ministry of Education has announced the development of a sustainable agreement framework to facilitate a structured return-to-work plan for staff at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK).
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba made the announcement after negotiations with union representatives from TUK, the University Academic Staff Union, and the Kenya Universities Staff Union. The talks focused on the workers’ Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
“The key areas of discussion included the return-to-work plan for university staff, increasing student enrollment, improving the organizational structure, and strengthening the overall university system,” Ogamba told reporters after the meeting.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to preventing future strikes through proactive measures across all universities.
The development comes a week after police clashed with TUK students protesting the institution’s indefinite closure. The students staged demonstrations at Jogoo House, seeking to petition Ogamba over the matter.
TUK was shut down on February 3 following staff strikes over delayed salaries. Students demanded its immediate reopening and the resolution of staff grievances to resume academic activities.
In January, the university’s Senate ordered the indefinite closure following the strike. This was later followed by the suspension of six students accused of organizing protests that disrupted examinations.
However, on February 2, Vice-Chancellor Professor Benedict Mutua rescinded the suspensions, stating that the University Management Board (UMB) and the Student Association of TUK (SATUK) Council had reached the decision after consultations.
“The university has resolved to withdraw the suspension letters of the six students. The Vice-Chancellor will engage with the affected students in a fatherly dialogue,” Mutua said.
