Learning at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay county was paralysed yesterday as the on-going lecturers strike in public universities entered its second day.
The dons peacefully held demonstrations in Homa Bay town before presenting their memoranda to the office of the Homa Bay Senator, Moses Kajwang.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) Secretary General Tom Mboya Chapter, Dr Maurice Ndolo, warned that the lecturers will not return to classes until their grievances are attended to by the government and their dues settled.
He warned that the strike would go on until the State heeds to their demands as stipulated in the 2012-2025 national Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Ndolo further said that they also want implementation of the Return-to-Work formula signed on September 24, 2024.
Educated people
They specifically demanded implementation of Tom Mboya University Chapter CBA, which they say must be negotiated, concluded and registered before they go back to class.
“We want the Tom Mboya University Council to tell and assure us when our CBA will be negotiated, concluded, registered and implemented,” said the SG, declaring that this time around they will not go back to class until the money hits their accounts.
“Lecturers are educated people and if we sign a document with the government, it should be honoured, and we are wondering why they keep on tossing us left and centre,” he added.
No classes
The Uasu Tom Mboya chapter chairman Dr Kevi Okoth called on the government to honour its pledges so that they can resume classes and enable students to continue with studies.
“It is not our wish that our children suffer but we are forced to continue with the strike since it is the only way the government can listen to us,” he said.
The Uasu national Secretary General, Constantine Wasonga revealed that the strike resumed after failed attempts to reach an agreement. He called on the government to honour the negotiated return-to-work formula.
Among the demands the lecturers are pushing for include an automated annual pay increment of four per cent as agreed on in the CBA.
