Technical University of Kenya Staff Demonstrate Over Delayed Salaries
Staff at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) in Nairobi staged protests today on January 14, 2025, demanding the government pay their salaries in full for November and December 2024.
This marks yet another round of dissatisfaction with the government, as employees decried the failure to fulfill commitments made in a December agreement that had previously ended a prolonged strike.
The workers, many of whom are technical staff, expressed frustration over the continued delays and non-payment of wages. In December 2024, TUK employees had suspended a strike that lasted over three months after the government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) addressing salary issues and other contractual obligations.
However, despite the agreement, the workers claim that their grievances remain unresolved, including the outstanding salary payments. Yucabeth Waya, the Deputy Chairperson of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) at TUK, voiced concerns about the impact of the ongoing financial strain on staff morale and mental health.
She highlighted that the unpaid salaries have caused immense stress, pushing some workers into depression.
“We are being treated unfairly, and the government must address our concerns. We cannot continue in this manner,” Waya said during the protest.
Further, some employees revealed that the financial pressures have forced them to take loans, which they are now unable to repay due to the salary delays.
This has led to further complications, including being listed by credit reference bureaus (CRB) for failing to honor their financial obligations. Jacob Mùsembi, the head of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) at TUK, also expressed alarm, noting that many employees have not received their salaries since November.
“We are worried that we will not receive our salaries for the coming months either. This is unacceptable, and the government must take action,” Mosembi stated.
The workers also raised concerns about their pensions, pointing out that a sum of KSh 5.3 billion, meant for pension contributions, has been cut without any clear explanation.
This has added to the growing dissatisfaction among TUK staff. The demonstration is a part of a broader unrest in Kenya’s higher education sector, with workers at various universities facing similar issues.
Employees are now demanding that the government honor its agreements and ensure timely payment of salaries, pensions, and other financial entitlements.
TUK workers have called for urgent action, warning that failure to address their grievances could lead to further industrial action. They are determined to ensure their rights are respected and upheld.
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