UoN Academic Staff Union issues 7-day strike notice, demand salary payment amid leadership crisis

The University of Nairobi Chapter of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has issued a seven-day strike notice in response to ongoing leadership disputes at the university.

In a briefing on Tuesday, Chapter Secretary Maloba Wekesa criticised the University Council for creating instability by suspending Vice Chancellor Stephen Kiama.

Wekesa highlighted that, despite the union's relatively short tenure of about three years, the university has experienced an unprecedented turnover of three University Councils.

He pointed out that while these councils come and go, the staff remain constant and bear the brunt of these frequent changes.

“Even our students come, graduate, and leave the Staff. With each flitty pass of the council, Staff bears the brunt of these erratic changes. The current Council, led by Prof Amukowa Anangwe, now in its second year, has had a tumultuous run, the impact which will be felt long after their exit at the end of their term,” Wekesa said.

“We hasten to remind you that the current University Council was cited as "illegally constituted but in service" in a ruling by Justice Ngaah. This matter is currently undergoing appeal, and we need not say much beyond that.”

In addition, the staff have demanded payment of their overdue July 2024 salaries, attributing the delay to financial mismanagement by the University Council.

Wekesa noted that while they acknowledge the Council's authority in appointing the CEO, it is also their responsibility to ensure the institution’s financial integrity. She claimed that such authority should be exercised with fairness, humility, and respect.

“First, salaries are a right of any worker once labour is served. It is neither a favour nor depends on the magnanimity of anyone, let alone the council. The delay in disbursing the July 2024 salary resulted from the University Council not getting its act together,” she said.

Wekesa also criticised the council for its misuse of power, describing it as lacking the leadership qualities expected at an institution like the University of Nairobi.

“A Council that uses its power in flagrance and apparent vindictiveness is wanting of leadership at an institution of the magnitude of UoN. To cause such instability that affects salaries to be delayed is a slap on the face of hardworking Staff. The disruption caused further affects various financial instruments that Staff use and erodes their already low morale,” she said.

“We want to remind the Council that it exists to ensure a smooth running of the institution, now and in the future. A delay in salary signals an inconsistent and unstable future, which we, as UASU, do not take kindly. We demand that salaries be paid immediately and with due consistency every coming month, failure of which, the Union will be free to act on what it may deem fit.”

The Staff Union also condemned remarks by the University Council chair, Prof. Amukowa Anangwe on August 5, 2024, who claimed that complaints from the staff contributed to the suspension of VC Kiama.

UASU denied the complaints and accused the council of allegedly using unofficial and unapproved channels to gather staff feedback, which they argue undermines established protocols.

“As UASU – UoN, we are not privy to such complaints and have no records of the same, even as we struggle to understand how a body tasked with policy was commiserating with Staff through means unknown to UASU. Let us be clear on this matter; the University of Nairobi is not run through grapevine. It is not run through rumours and certainly not through conjecture. We take umbrage to the narrative that a separate unofficial, unsanctioned, and unknown way of collecting sentiments of Staff is available to this Council and not any other before it,” Wekesa said.

UASU emphasised that the union is the legitimate representative of the academic staff and any attempt by the Council Chair to bypass this role is strongly opposed.

“If the Council wishes to hear from staff, established protocols guide such an engagement. It is not and we will not agree that this council establishes an unofficial channel of reaching Staff. That is a sure way to engender distrust, disharmony, and mendacity; ultimately, it will end the academe as we know it. The University will be and should be run as a respectable corporate entity and not some half-wit banana organization,” Wekesa said.

They also expressed disapproval of recent actions, including the deployment of armed riot police in full combat gear to the University Towers to reign in on alleged financial impropriety by VC Kiama.

According to UASU, the actions were excessive and degrading and undermine the university as a melting pot of intellectualism and a refuge of divergent opinion.

“Prof Kiama remains a Professor at the University of Nairobi. Deploying armed riot police officers in full combat gear to the University Towers is not in good taste. Humiliating a full Professor of the University in the precincts of the University is wrong, unwarranted, and demeaning,” Wekesa said.

They urged the council to take all evidence to relevant investigative arms of the government and let the law take its course.

The council has also been advised to adhere to the University Act and statutes, avoid populist posturing, and respect the established institutional structure.

“We demand that the council adhere to the University Act and University statutes in running its affairs. Stop playing to the gallery with populist posturing in the Great Court. Respect the University structure and stop appointing anyone to non-existent positions. Follow the law just as you demand others to do the same. This great institution should not be left to spiral down any further,” Wekesa said.

They also called on the government to intervene immediately, warning that if the current conflicts are not resolved, the university could face severe consequences.