The Universities Academic Staff Union is demanding over Sh10 billion owed to lecturers through the failed CBAs. The dons at Moi University said they are in full support of the boycott.
Union officials led by Organising Secretary Nyabuta Ojuki said they were tired of promises from the university managements and the government.
“As lecturers, we do not eat promises. We are human and we have obligations and needs like other Kenyans which we are unable to fulfill due to denied rights,” Nyabuta said.
They are demanding payment of phase two arrears for the 2021-2025 CBA and for 2017-2021.
“We are also demanding negotiation and implementation of 2025-2029 CBA with its full arrears and benefits,” he said.
Nyabuta said all the lecturers stand to benefit from arrears of seven and a half months and that some universities have been paying and were now in the second month. He said Moi University had not done anything on the outstanding payments.
“We are aware Treasury has remitted money to the university. It's a case of can't pay, won't pay! This is the opportunity for dons to be paid everything. The strike, therefore, is meant to create uniformity. We must demand and the only language left is to strike,” he said.
The union also explained that most universities were paying staff as agreed in earlier CBAs. Nyabuta said UASU had united all dons to ensure full payment.
The dons at Moi are demanding over Sh1.25 billion in arrears.
Moi University UASU Secretary Busolo Wegesa said the 2025-2029 CBA should have been in place from July 1, 2025.
“We are in September and no CBA. One key item as agreed by parties is that our medical cover will be a negotiated issue in this CBA. Currently in Moi we are out of cover and we have been ignored,” he said.
The union says that only full implementation of the CBAs will save them from the challenges they face as lecturers.
Dons at Moi University have vowed to remain on strike alongside their colleagues countrywide until their demands are met.
