TUK tutors' strike hits 50 days as talks collapse

The lecturers’ strike at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) entered its 50th day on Wednesday after attempts to resolve the industrial action collapsed.

The prolonged work boycott, which began on January 23, continues to disrupt academic activities, raising concerns over semester delays and potential setbacks in students’ graduation timelines.

A scheduled meeting meant to broker a deal between the lecturers and the university management failed to take place, as members of the Universities and Academic Staff Union (UASU) TUK chapter boycotted it.

UASU officials argued that the university administration, backed by the Ministry of Education, had failed to address their core grievances, making negotiations futile.

At the heart of the strike is the university’s failure to remit more than Sh300 million in statutory loan deductions dating back to January, a situation that has left lecturers in financial jeopardy.

According to UASU TUK Chapter Secretary Fred Sawenja, irregular salary payments, coupled with unremitted deductions, have rendered lecturers financially vulnerable.

“These deductions are meant to service loans, pensions, and insurance policies, yet the university has failed to remit them, leaving lecturers at risk of being declared credit unworthy,” Sawenja told The Standard.

The union has vowed to continue the industrial action until their demands are met, while the university administration insists that financial constraints limit its ability to comply with the lecturers’ requests.

“Our demands have not been met yet, and as long as that is the case, we will continue with the strike,” Sawenja said.

The lecturers have accused the Ministry of Education of inaction, with UASU leaders arguing that the government has not taken meaningful steps to address their concerns.

The union insists that the responsibility falls on the ministry to ensure universities are adequately funded and that staff members receive their dues on time.

Lecturers also accuse the university of operating in a state of perpetual mismanagement.