Seku dons go on strike demanding better pay

The striking dons marched to the main road leading to Seku main campus. In solidarity, Wote, Mtito Andei and Kitui town campuses took part in the industrial action too.They were all together with their colleagues at the Main campus in Kwa Vonza.

The striking workers were members affiliated to UASU and KUSU. The area UASU chapter Chairperson Michael Wahome said the government was discriminating against university staff. He added that the strike will only be stopped after government addressed their grievances.

Mr Wahome revealed that the government was yet to honour its 2017-2021 agreement. He added that university staff never got a salary increment as President William Ruto increased those of other public servants from between 7 and 10 per cent.

He also complained that university staff were treated as casuals where they are paid from students' fees and capitation while other public officials were paid through the exchequer.

"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", said Wahome.

Seku KUSU chair Thaddeus Mutisya accused the Salaries and Remuneration Commission , SRC, of mistreating university workers. He said SRC pleases politicians with higher pay and gives public officials low wages. He said it was time SRC be disbanded.