Lecturers decry government’s spendthrift tendencies, demand payment salary increment arrears
University lecturers are unhappy with the way money is being flashed around by the government operatives in what they termed as “unnecessary undertakings” and instead said that their salary increment dues are in arrears.
The dons are particularly concerned about cash that is being dished out to groups at State House and during “economic empowerment” activities yet their salary increment has been in arrears for over seven months.
“This arrogance and waste of resources by the State must stop. What annoys us most is that money that is not even budgeted for is being given out freely yet we are not being paid our dues,” said Professor Shadrack Muia of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
Muia who is also the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Chapter Secretary General for JKUAT at the same time accuses the Kenya Kwanza administration of sacrificing education at the altar of political expediency.
“Why is it that when it comes to higher learning, particularly universities the government drags its feet in meeting its commitment, but we see money being flashed around apparently to woe voters?” posed Prof Muia during the launch of the nationwide strike by employees of public universities.
He was accompanied by officials from Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels Educational Institutions Hospitals & Allied Workers (Kudheiha) who unanimously endorsed the industrial action.
Nickson Chege, the KUSU Chapter Secretary General similarly condemned the government’s attitude towards the education sector, terming it as insensitive and reckless.
“Universities train the manpower that runs the country. It is reckless and insensitive to keep on disregarding agreements with workers’ unions when we see money being dished out like this,” Chege pointed out.
Muiga Rugara, the UASU Chapter Chairman noted that what lecturers and university workers are demanding is less than Sh3billion yet the government spends a similar amount for political mobilization every week.
“We are not against the State spending money for political lol urposes, but it should first meet its obligations to pay workers their dues,” maintained Rugara.
