By Grace Gilo
National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula has called on university staff unions to halt their ongoing strike and pursue dialogue as a means to address their grievances.
Speaking at Parliament Buildings after a meeting with officials from the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), Wetang’ula acknowledged the unions’ concerns regarding the government’s commitment to fulfilling existing Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
The two unions, which declared a nationwide strike on September 17, are demanding a cumulative settlement of Sh11.53 billion in salary arrears dating back to 2017.
The core of the dispute revolves around Sh2.73 billion owed under the second phase of the 2021–25 CBA, alongside Sh8.8 billion in arrears from the 2017–21 CBA. Additionally, the unions are seeking negotiations, registration, and implementation of a new CBA for 2025–29.
The unions have accused the government, through the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), the Ministry of Education, and the National Treasury, of acting in bad faith.
Furthermore, the unions reference a January 2021 court order that mandated the government and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to fully fund the implementation of the 2017–21 CBA, which they claim remains unaddressed.
“I reminded the union leaders that Parliament remains a key institution for addressing such concerns and advised them to make use of the House by formally presenting their petitions, provided the matter is not before any court of law,” said the National Assembly Speaker.
Speaker Wetang’ula assured UASU and KUSU that once their petitions are processed by the Office of the Clerk and tabled before the House early next week, he will request the Public Petitions Committee to prioritise and fast-track their consideration.
According to him, the committee will invite the petitioners to present their submissions and will also summon top officials from the Ministry of Education, including the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary for Higher Education, to respond to the issues raised.
“This process will ensure that both sides are heard and a structured way forward is developed,” Wetang’ula noted, while also appealing to the unions not to jeopardize students’ education amid the ongoing dispute.
“I encouraged them to return to class, give negotiations a chance, and allow Parliament to play its rightful role in mediating and finding lasting solutions in the best interests of all stakeholders in higher education,” he added.