Striking workers at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) spent their day having fun games at the graduation pavilion as the nationwide lecturers’ strike entered its fourth week. Led by chapter leaders of Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), the employees broke from their usual picketing routine to enjoy themselves through athletic races and other fun activities.
The unionists said they decided to derive various means of killing boredom while vowing to push ahead with the industrial action until their dues are paid in full. “We are prepared to go the full hog. That is why we introduced new ways of keeping ourselves busy in order to stay active and healthy,” quipped UASU Chapter Secretary Prof Shadrack Muya.
The occasion which was graced by UASU Secretary General Constantine Wasonga among other national officials, saw winners awarded various prizes. Wasonga said the government has no option but to act on the demands of the workers who are fighting for implementation of the 2025/2029 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
He told the workers to prepare for a very long strike, saying the government has turned a deaf ear on their grievances and was even claiming 70 percent of teaching was going on in public universities. “When you say teaching in public universities is taking place 70 percent, then you seem not to know what’s happening in your Ministry,” said Wasonga in an apparent reference to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.
Muiga Rugara the UASU Chapter Chairman the Chapter Secretary Prof Muya said the unionists have advised students to go back home as the lecturers dig in for a long strike. The lecture rooms remained empty with students spending most of their time outside the University compound, nearly a month after the university workers went on strike.
