University of Nairobi staff to down tools, blame SRC

Kenya Universities Staff Union officials Peter Waita and Charles Mukhwaya (right) at the Chester House, Nairobi, Thursday where they asked the salaries commission to keep off union matters. [PHOTO: mbugua kibera/STANDARD]

By AUGUSTINE ODUOR and ANJELLAH OWINO

Kenya: Learning at the University of Nairobi (UoN) may be paralysed next week if the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) fails to authorise payment of Sh330 million to settle staff allowances.

The Kenya Universities Staff Union (Kusu) officials said some 10,000 first year students expected to report next week would not be admitted if workers’ demands are not met by Sunday evening.

Kusu Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya also said normal learning at the university will be stalled as members of the union will protest delayed implementation of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed last year.

He said despite the union having signed three subsequent agreements with the university’s administration three months ago, their members are yet to get pay adjustments.

“Neither of the two CBA (2010/2012 and the 2012/2013) have been honoured,” said Dr Mukhwaya.

He said part of these agreements was an increase on commuter allowance that would have seen those earning Sh7,000 paid Sh10,000.

“Dental and optical allowances were to rise to Sh24,000 from Sh12,000, and a 50 per cent increment on leave travelling allowance,” said Mukhwaya. Other benefits in the deal are ‘demise in services’ increase from Sh40,000 to Sh100,000.

UoN Vice Chancellor George Magoha said the money is available but it cannot be released without SRC’s authorisation.

Prof Magoha said SRC had written to the university indicating that they will soon advise the university on the payment of the monies demanded by the staff union.

“We have the money. But it is Government procedure that I can only release the funds once I get advise from SRC,” he said.

Kusu officials accused SRC of interfering with smooth running of the university. “We are utterly disgusted with interference by the SRC in the smooth implementation of the unions’ constitutionally and mutually concluded CBA with the employer,” said Mukhwaya.

He said SRC has an inherent role of ensuring industrial harmony in the public service sector and its failure to allow the employer to pay its workers is unacceptable.

“We demand SRC concludes its work immediately and allows the university to pay her workers their mutually agreed allowances and other benefits forthwith,” said Mukhwaya in Nairobi.