By Christine Ngitori
In a significant announcement made during Chuka University’s 13th graduation ceremony, Principal Secretary for Higher Education Beatrice Inyangala revealed that the government has resumed negotiations with the lecturers’ union.
The government is committing a total of 9.67 billion KES to facilitate a salary increment of 7-10% for lecturers, alongside an automatic 4% increment across all career levels.
Inyangala praised the 18 universities that chose not to join the ongoing strikes, emphasizing their commitment to academic continuity.
Chuka University, in particular, was recognized for its dedication to prioritizing students’ learning during this challenging period.
Addressing concerns from lecturers, Inyangala expressed optimism regarding the negotiations, stating that discussions with all unions have been productive.
She assured attendees that there is no justifiable reason for lecturers to remain away from their duties, declaring that final discussions are set to conclude by this weekend.
Inyangala confidently stated that by Monday, lecturers are expected to resume their teaching responsibilities.
Chuka University’s Vice-Chancellor Henry Mutembei expressed gratitude for the community’s support and emphasized the institution’s commitment to policy adherence and financial responsibility.
He announced that the university successfully reduced its pending bills from 700 million KES, declaring that it has no accumulated debts.
University of Embu Vice-Chancellor Daniel Mugendi highlighted the importance of maintaining a good relationship between management, students, and staff.
While acknowledging the workers’ rights to voice their concerns, he emphasized that strikes should not disrupt students’ education.
This renewed commitment from the government aims to address the lecturers’ concerns while fostering a conducive learning environment across the nation’s universities.
The move comes in response to recent data indicating a rise in student enrollments, underscoring the critical need for uninterrupted education as the country strives to meet its national development goals.
