This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect the country, Kenyatta University has announced a suspension of salaries for staff on contract, citing a decline in revenue.
According to an internal memo dated May 15, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) Prof Fatuma Chege explained that staff on three-month contracts are paid using proceeds from the university's income-generating activities (IGAs). However, with the university's operations paralyzed, the management is struggling to pay salaries to this category of staff.
Prof Chege added that seasonal staff have no running contracts currently but will be considered for renewal when normal university activities resume, subject to recommendations from their supervisors. The communication is effective from May 1.
Prof Chege's announcement comes as Kisii University and Egerton University have already announced pay reductions of 30-40 per cent, citing a lack of funds from the National Treasury. The two institutions have not paid their staff April salaries, Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) vice-chairman Joseph Mberia said.
Mr Mberia warned higher learning institutions against deducting staff salaries, stating that the government releases funds for staff salaries in full. He added that staff have loan obligations to meet and it was unfair for universities and colleges to reduce their pay.
Already, Egerton University Vice-Chancellor Rose Mwonya said the institution was not able to generate enough funds, leading to a 40 per cent reduction in pay for staff in grades Five to 19. Kisii University also announced a 40 per cent reduction in pay, citing a deficit of Sh56 million.
Other universities, including Maseno University and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, have also taken measures to reduce costs, with Maseno University asking employees to take voluntary pay cuts and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology telling employees whose services are classified as non-essential to take leave until the virus is contained.
