Government treats us unfairly, striking Seku staff claim

Learning in the South Eastern Kenya University in Kitui was paralysed on Wednesday after dons and other staff members joined their ilk across the country in a work boycott.

The striking workers held demonstrations along the main road leading to the Seku main campus.

The Wote, Mtito Andei and Kitui town campuses also participated in the peaceful march.

The workers, both members of Uasu and Kenya Universities Staff Union carried placards displaying their grievances.

The Universities Academic Staff Union chairman, Seku chapter, Michael Wahome, accused the government of discrimination.

 “We are concerned as university staff across the country that we are being discriminated upon by the government. We cannot take it anymore when our main interest is being threatened,” he said.

Wahome pointed out that university workers were not accorded the same treatment in the payment of salaries.

Other public servants were paid from the Exchequer.

Conversely, university staff’s salaries are derived from students’ fees and capitation.

“We want the national government to separate our salaries from capitation and fees. Money should be wired to Seku from the Exchequer, which should in turn wire our salaries to our accounts,” the chairman said.

This, he said, amounted to treating university workers as 'casuals'.

In addition, university staff did not get a penny when President William Ruto ordered a salary increment of between 7 to 10 per cent for all public servants last year.

Wahome said they would not resume work until their grievances are addressed and the 2017-2021 CBA is honoured, "even if it takes the government long to respond positively to their demands".

Union secretary, Seku branch, Mboya Kivai, said workers were not treated well.

Seku staff have not received the annual salary increment for over six years and commuter allowance had not been reviewed for years.

The insurance cover they were entitled to was of little benefit, Kivai claimed, adding that workers were also victimised in the payment of hardship allowance.

Further,  money for loans and pension deducted from salaries was never remitted.

Thaddeus Mutisya, Seku KUSU chairman, charged that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission has been mistreating university workers.

He took a swipe at the commission saying instead of equalising the pay for all civil servants, SRC was "obsessed with pleasing politicians by giving them top dollar pay".

The commission was not serving the interests of public workers, he said.

As such, there was a need to collect signatures from workers to demand the disbandment of the outfit.