Seriously negotiate end to varsity workers’ strike

The current tough time for public universities is set to continue, with the workers, including lecturers, having just begun a strike. Bearing the brunt of the standoff are, of course, the students and their parents, who are sacrificing a lot, hoping for success.

University workers have rejected an offer by the Inter-Universities Councils Consultative Forum, vowing to push ahead. Their unions have cited disagreements not just over pay, but also medical cover and staffing. They have accused their employer of breaching previous collective bargaining agreements.

The Universities Academic Staff Union, Kenya University Staff Union and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers have confirmed the collapse of the 2025-2029 CBA negotiations.

They have also rejected a four per cent annual pay agreement as being below the inflation rate of six per cent. The unions have also accused the universities of failing to recruit enough academic staff despite the high student enrolment.

Teaching, learning and basic services will be disrupted as the members of the three unions have downed tools. The strike comes at a time when the universities are grappling with serious woes, including a student funding crisis and lack of facilities.

The strike also comes amid confusion over the government's student-centred funding model. Thousands of first-year students have experienced delays and shortfalls in the disbursement of scholarships and other allocations.

It also comes at a time when a global ranking of universities has highlighted declining performance. This is a wake-up call to the higher education authorities to tackle the challenges and restore the pride they once enjoyed.

Public universities are grappling with a Sh100 billion funding hole. The government has slashed capitation, leaving the institutions technically insolvent and unable to purchase basic requirements.

The frequent strikes are a big burden. Academic programmes are disrupted, and graduations delayed, creating uncertainty about entering the job market. These shortcomings should be addressed to ease the anxiety in higher education.

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