Nairobi, KENYA: Universities academic staff union has presented a petition to deputy president William Ruto in bid to intervene and salvage the standoff between the union and the government.
Speaking after holding a mega demonstration across Nairobi on Wednesday, the union sec general general Constantine Wesonga said that the 10 billion offer by the government minimal.
Wesonga said the offer is minimal and will not address their grievances which translates to 3.2 percent salary increment and 1.6 percent house allowance.
Wesonga complained that the government is arm twisting the striking dons by withdrawing their salaries .
“Withdrawing our salaries will not work.we were already starving .”Wesonga said.
He warned that vice chancellors of various universities should stop issuing threats to the striking lecturers insisting that it is their constitutional right enshrined in the constitution to do so.
Wesonga said that apart from the sh. 10 billion, sh.4.8 billion was factored in the supplementary budget but the government is clandestinely quiet on the matter urging the government to come clean on the issue.
“What has happened to additional sh. 4.8 billion that was discusses by Rev Mutava Musyimi’s budget committee ?”He quizzed.
Uasu called upon Ministry of Education and treasury to facilitate IPUCCF to negotiate by adding the sh .4.8 billion to the sh.10 billion original offer ,so that we may have meaningful negotiations.” Wesonga said.
The union officials insisted that they will be staging mega demonstrations every Wednesday until the government intervenes to salvage the situation.
