This archive report was first published on 30 June 2019.
On June 30, 2019, the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) expressed strong opposition to the government's plan to close and merge some underperforming satellite campuses.
The proposal, directed by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Magoha, aimed to address the financial challenges faced by some universities. However, KUSU Secretary General Dr. Charles Mukhwaya criticized the move, stating that it had caused anxiety and panic among university staff and students.
Dr. Mukhwaya emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address the challenges facing public universities in Kenya. He suggested that stakeholders should work together to identify the root causes of the problems and find effective solutions.
Regarding the proposal to employ workers on a contractual basis, Dr. Mukhwaya argued that this would be a violation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). He emphasized that employment terms should be negotiated through collective bargaining, rather than being imposed by the government.
Dr. Mukhwaya cautioned that the government's proposal could lead to unforeseen repercussions and urged them to make any changes within the bounds of the law.
