By Christine Ngitori
In a powerful display of solidarity, lecturers in the Tharaka Nithi region have joined their counterparts across Kenya in an unwavering strike, vowing to persist until their demands are met.
This nationwide protest, involving members of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) and the Academic Staff Union (UASU), aims to halt all educational activities until their grievances are addressed.
During a press conference outside Chuka University, Tharaka Nithi KUSU branch chairman Obula Fredrick highlighted the government’s failure to honor the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) as the primary reason for the disruption of academic schedules.
He called on the government to revisit and revise the CBA to align with current economic conditions, emphasizing that their pleas have been ignored for far too long.
“We refuse to back down. We urge those in power to engage in meaningful negotiations to implement a CBA that has been unjustly neglected,” Fredrick declared
Dr. Alice Murwai, chairperson of UASU, echoed these sentiments, affirming that the strike will continue until their concerns are met.
She underscored that addressing the overlooked CBA is crucial for enhancing the livelihoods of university staff.
KUSU Secretary General Wandera Daniel reiterated that strikes seem to be the only language the government understands.
He condemned police actions during a peaceful protest in Nairobi on Monday, where officers deployed tear gas against demonstrators delivering a petition to Parliament, interpreting this as clear evidence of the government’s reluctance to address their demands.
“With no visible commitment from the government, our strike will persist. We will not return to the classrooms until our legitimate demands are heard and met,” ,” Daniel emphasized.
As the strike continues, the future of academic activities hangs in the balance, leaving students and staff alike awaiting resolution and change.
