The nationwide strike by university dons and non-teaching staff officially kicked-off today after both the government and the unions failed to agree over the payment Sh10 billion Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The workers who held demonstration at the University of Nairobi grounds vowed to stay out of classes until their money is paid in lump sum.
While Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the government has already wired Sh4.7 billion to various bank accounts, Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) secretary general Constantine Wasonga accused the government of reneging on their agreement.
Matiang’i in a statement sent to newsrooms on Sunday explained that the CBA was concluded before the end of the financial year 2016/2017 and that the implementation would be staggered into two financial years of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018.
“We did not agree on phased payment as alluded to by the CS and we are not ready to take what they are offering,” Wasonga said shortly after a meeting of the National Executive Council at the union offices.
He said the union is in possession of a letter from Education Principal Secretary showing that the CBA was to be implemented in full and reiterated that they will not accept anything less than that.