Universities send students home as strike bites

By Karanja Njoroge and Grace Wekesa , posted Novemver 12, 2011

NAIROBI, Kenya_Three public universities closed down as the strike by lecturers and non-teaching staff took its toll on institutions of higher learning.

The closure of Univerity of Nairobi, Egerton University and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) came a day after Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s meeting with universities vice-chancellors and union officials failed to resolve the pay dispute.

Earlier, at the University of Nairobi, the administrators had been holed up in a crisis meeting. The Vice-Chancellor had sent out notices asking striking staff to resume work by midday. But the deadline lapsed as staff kept away from their workstations.

Friday, Higher Education Permanent Secretary Crispus Kiamba said efforts for dialogue had failed.

"Nothing new has emerged from our last meeting with the PM. Vice-chancellors are managing their issues," Kiamba told The Standard On Saturday.

In yet further hardening of positions, the University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) disowned its representatives at the talks the PM chaired. And vice-chancellors warned of disciplinary action against striking workers, including freezing their salaries.

Junior officials

Uasu Secretary-General Muga K’Orlale said union representatives at the Thursday talks were "junior officials" who had "gone on their own".

"The officers who went to the PM’s office were there on their own; up to now they have refused to brief the top officials on what went on. We only learnt from the media," K’Orlale told The Standard On Saturday on phone yesterday. Wangila Barasa, the chairman of the Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, said the Prime Minister asked them to "take charge of their institutions".

"The unions are trying to show their might by refusing to negotiate," Prof Barasa, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, said. But K’Orlale said: "People think that Uasu doesn’t want to negotiate. But it’s the Government that has refused to table its counter-proposal. The strike will go on."

The administrations of Egerton University and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology sent students home after crisis meetings by university senates, which resolved it was no longer tenable to keep them in campuses.

Egerton University was the first to shut down, with students at the main campus in Njoro and Nakuru Town Campus asked to leave by 3pm yesterday. The decision that followed a meeting of the University Senate surprised students and the striking staff.

A notice signed by the University Academic Affairs Registrar, Prof SFO Owido, said the strike had disrupted normal academic activities.

"You are aware that normal academic functions of the university have not been taking place since November 9. The senate has determined that this situation may persist for some time thereby causing students to be idle. It has, therefore, decided both Njoro and Nakuru Town campuses be closed until further notice," read the notice.

At MMUST, the senate also resolved the situation was not conducive for academic activities and recommended the institution’s closure.

"We have resolved that all students be released on recess with immediate effect until the situation normalises. Students are therefore advised to leave at the earliest convenience, but not later than 5pm (today) yesterday. Students will be informed when to resume classes as soon as the situation stabilises," read the notice. Egerton, too, had a scheduled graduation ceremony later this month. Wangila said the senate would meet on Monday to discuss the issue.

The management of universities warned striking staff of disciplinary action, including withholding their pay, for deserting duty. But union officials insisted the strike would continue until their demands are met.

Uasu, Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (Kudhehia), and University Non- Teaching Staff Union (Untesu) declared the strike earlier this week.

Egerton University Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Tuitoek, warned absconding staff they would be deemed to have participated in the strike and would not be paid for the days out.

"Such staff are deemed to be absent from duty without leave or lawful cause," Tuitoek cautioned in a notice that stated the strike was illegal, citing a November 9 court order. The VC warned the management would take disciplinary measures against staff who have breached their terms and conditions of service.

Striking workers, however, accused the management of intimidation. They declared they would only return to work if their national unions asked them to do so.

"The strike was called by the national secretary generals of the unions, and the university management should communicate to our national unions," said Mr Paul Cheche, the University’s Kudheiha chapter chairman. Uasu, MMUST chapter chairperson, Susan Choge, said they are happy with the progress. Choge vowed they would press on with the strike until the Government addresses their demands.

She said the university’s closure would not dampen their resolve, adding, however, they would wait for official communication from the national office on the next move.

"We are happy with the progress and the unity displayed by lecturers and non-teaching staff. I urge the Government and the three unions to look into the matter and resolve it soon," said Choge.

Choge’s deputy, John Marani, said they would not relent until the Government meets their demand for better pay.

Additional reporting by Augustine Oduor

Story Source: Standard
Video Source: NTV

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