Suspended Egerton University lecturers have today dismissed the move by the University Management Board saying their strike was legal.
The 14 lecturers who are officials of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Egerton University chapter downplayed the move and maintained that their strike which involves all the university dons was protected.
The lecturers' suspension comes following a strike that has been going on for the past two and a half months starting November 12, last yearon claims of poor remunerations and non-compliance with their 2017-2021 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) .
The strike paralysed operations, compelling the management to close the university on November 26, 2021 to date.
The suspension letter issued on Monday has cited absence from duty without lawful authority in contravention of the Labour Relations Act of 2007 as one of the grounds for the disciplinary action.
"The listed lecturers are suspended with immediate effect and have been declared as unwelcome to the university premises," read the suspension letter.
Through the letter, the UASU officials were given a seven-day ultimatum to show cause why further disciplinary action should not be taken against them.
"You are required to show cause in writing why disciplinary action should not be taken against you. Your response, if any, should be made within seven days and not later than 14th February," it stated.
The lecturers were further ordered to hand over their responsibilities and any university property under your care to their departmental heads and vacate office immediately.
The chapter chairperson, Mwaniki Ngari wondered why it had taken so long for the university management to realise that their strike was illegal.
Addressing the media in Nakuru, Ngari accused the university of shifting goals when they were too close to finding solutions.
"We have had five meetings with the management team after which a mediation committee that was tasked with seeking a middle ground between the dons and their employer was established," he said.
"Instead of receiving an invitation for talks we were shocked that the university decided to issue suspension and show cause letters to union officials," observed Ngari.
He added that the officials had high hopes of resolving the stalemate after meeting with the conciliation team but the management responded with suspension letters.
Ngari said the union members would not be intimidated into resuming duties adding that they will be relentless until the matter that has been recurring since 2017 is finally resolved.
