Just In: Closed-Door Meeting Sparks Tensions as UASU and Government Clash Over Payment Offer

The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) is currently engaged in a closed-door meeting with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogambo, in what is seen as a final attempt to resolve the ongoing seven-week lecturers' strike that has severely disrupted operations at public universities across the country.

The meeting, convened this morning at Jogoo House, includes key leaders from public universities, including UASU representatives, the Interpublic University Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), and KUDHEIHA. While discussions remain ongoing, insider sources suggest that lecturers are considering suspending the strike after the government proposed a 50-50 payment offer. However, no formal agreement has been reached at this point.

Tensions within the UASU delegates meeting have emerged, as conflicting opinions on how to proceed have surfaced. One faction strongly supports an 80% payment for arrears, while another side seems more inclined to accept the government’s 50-50 proposal. These disagreements have further complicated efforts to find a resolution.

The meeting follows a promising yet tense discussion with the National Assembly Education Committee, where UASU showed signs of ending the strike. During the session, UASU Secretary-General Dr. Constantine Wasonga Opiyo expressed optimism about a resolution, stating that he would convene the union’s organs within 48 hours to reconsider their industrial action. He also took the opportunity to address past remarks made by the Ministry of Education.

“I want to thank this committee (on Education) for listening to us. For the sake of the children and the students of this country, we are going to convene the organs of the union so that we can reconsider. However, the Ministry should apologize to us for calling us confused and saying that we should go back to class. You don’t push us, and you don’t call us names,” Wasonga said, urging his members to reconsider their stance.

Despite these signs of progress, Wasonga reiterated the union’s demand for an 80:20 payment plan for the arrears, with 80% of the payment made immediately and the balance to be settled later. He rejected the government’s earlier proposal for a 50-50 split, warning that any agreement that did not meet their demands would result in recurring strikes.

“We cannot accept an arrangement that results in recurring strikes every time there’s a phase of payment,” Wasonga asserted, underscoring the union’s frustration with the government’s failure to reach an acceptable resolution in previous negotiations.

As the meeting continues, all eyes remain on the outcome, with hopes that a compromise will be reached to bring an end to the strike and restore normalcy at public universities.