Egerton University lecturers issue 21-day strike notice

Egerton University. The University's internal debt is over Sh6 billion. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

He explained that the students understood the pain the lecturers were going through from the over 40 per cent deferred pay dating back to 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Our plea is on the government to right off some of Egerton's debts so that it can start on a clean slate. This is not a problem with the current management but a historical thing," said Odero.

In an interview earlier this week, the union had called for the resignation of Prof Isaac Kibwage as Egerton Vice Chancellor and the council members accusing them of inability to lead.

"We are asking them with all humility to step aside and hand over to other people who can bring new ideas and save Egerton from sinking," said Chapter secretary Dr Grace Kibue.

Prof Kibwage has however defended the university leadership noting that the institution had not received the expected capitation from the national exchequer current financial year.

"Egerton University's internal debt has risen from Sh6 billion and is now approaching Sh9 billion. This is not a problem unique to Egerton alone," said Kibwage.

In the 2022/2023 financial year, the government allocated the university Sh3.7 billion against its requisition of Sh5 billion leaving a Sh1.3 billion hole in its books.

To complement the allocation, the university generates revenue from tuition fees paid by the students with most of its internal revenue generating streams recording dismal performance.

Failure by the university to pay the dons their full pay as ordered by the court landed Prof Kibwage and eight council members in trouble for contempt of court.

The court subsequently found them guilty of contempt charges and fined each of them Sh100,000.

Despite the fine, the cash-strapped university is yet to comply with the orders risking similar charges being preferred against the nine afresh.