The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has maintained its strike following a breakdown in negotiations with the government over a salary increment offer that the union says is inadequate.
UASU Secretary-General Dr Constantine Wasonga said discussions involving the National Treasury had failed to resolve the dispute, leaving university lecturers’ industrial action ongoing.
Speaking during a press briefing, Wasonga faulted vice-chancellors for allegedly negotiating and presenting a financial proposal to the National Treasury without adequately involving lecturers in the process.
He said the vice-chancellors had initially proposed an allocation of KSh12 billion before the figure was reduced to KSh11 billion under the government’s latest offer.
According to Wasonga, the revised proposal translates to a salary increase of only three per cent, which he argued is insufficient to cushion university lecturers against the rising cost of living.
“The offer translates to a salary increase of only three per cent,” Wasonga said, warning that the proposed increment does not reflect the economic pressures facing workers, including rising fuel prices.
The UASU secretary-general cited an increase in fuel prices of more than 20 per cent, arguing that the proposed salary adjustment falls short of addressing the rising cost of essential goods and services.
The strike is set to continue as the union maintains pressure for a more favourable salary offer and a resolution to the ongoing dispute.
The deadlock threatens to prolong disruptions in university learning as lecturers and the government remain at odds over the proposed financial allocation.
