Lecturers and staff at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) have officially begun a strike as of January 23, 2025, following the expiration of a seven-day notice period. This industrial action comes after months of unpaid salaries and unaddressed grievances, which have left many employees in dire financial straits.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has been vocal about the issues facing TUK staff, particularly highlighting that salaries have not been disbursed since September 2024. The lecturers have expressed frustration over the government’s failure to respond to their petitions, which were submitted to Parliament, the Treasury, and the Ministry of Education. They claim that these institutions have continuously ignored their warnings regarding the financial crisis affecting university operations.
Among the key grievances are the non-remittance of statutory deductions such as National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and savings and credit cooperative (SACCO) contributions. Additionally, there are alarming reports of a loss of pension funds amounting to Ksh. 5 billion, which has compounded the financial woes of university staff. The lecturers argue that these delays violate their rights under the Employment Act of 2007 and have made it increasingly difficult for them to meet their financial obligations.
The strike is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend affecting public universities in Kenya. Many institutions are grappling with severe budget constraints and mounting debts, leading to increased unrest among academic staff. The lecturers at TUK have vowed to continue their strike until their demands are met and the agreed-upon Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is honored. This CBA, valued at Ksh. 9.7 billion, was supposed to be implemented in phases but has faced significant delays, leaving many lecturers feeling disrespected and undervalued.
As learning activities at TUK come to a standstill, the repercussions of this strike extend beyond just the university community. Students’ education is at risk, and families relying on these institutions for their children’s education face uncertainty. The situation underscores a critical need for the government and university management to address these issues promptly to avert further disruptions in Kenya’s higher education sector.
The ongoing strike by TUK lecturers highlights significant systemic issues within Kenya’s public universities that require urgent attention from both government officials and university administrators. Failure to resolve these grievances could lead to a wider crisis affecting not only TUK but potentially other institutions as well.
