LECTURERS STRIKE? NOT AGAIN!

By Kirong Shadrack

Details of a looming Lecturers’ strike have left many with lingering questions. Few months ago, KNUT and UASU called for a national strike demanding for a pay rise. This was allegedly part of un-honoured pay agreement which dates back from a decade ago. This threw the whole nation into a limbo, Parents Association, Religious Groups and activist groups could not hesitate to come out strongly and exert all pressure on the Government over their defiant and recalcitrant attitude over the matter.

It has not escaped the public gallery, the unfolding of events that precipitated the battle that ensued. From the controversial Education Minister Hon Mutula Kilonzo, to inevitably last strike minute deals. That for the first time in the teaching profession, a teacher could exercise their bragging rights without any discrimination, courtesy of the renown “hero” Mr. Sossion and his team. And no sooner had the teachers hanged down their ‘solidarity forever’ song did the civil servants, nurses and University staff unions join the almost revolution and growing national industrial action anthem. But this time round with a different line of rythm ‘come baby come’.

History might be repeating itself. However, no Kenyan would wish recent happenings “rearranged cut and pasted” into the recent time. It therefore comes as mock and displeasing news that we might see another recurrent mish - mash of the situations, we widely witnessed few months ago, if yesterdays’ threats issued by the University staff unions is anything to go by. Posing many questions than answers, whether the signed return- to- work formula between the aforementioned parties and the Kenya Government was not sealed deal? Or were the parties duped into signing the agreements?

It’s a unanimous fact that Industrial Action is the only language the Kenya Government can understand. But for how long is the Kenya Government going to persist with its stubbornness, arrogance and delay tactics over issues that touch the very fabric of our economy and livelihood, is a question that should expeditiously be addressed once and for all. Lest we want to see our Higher Education system sail in regular ship full of un-contended captains and worn out sailors.

It will be a razored humiliation at its core especially to entire system if this untimely decisions proves futile, not to mention the common victims; the students who will always roil in frustration. Entangled in this web of wait-see situation coupled by tug of curiosity on the next course of action, over the impending Industrial action by the University staff Unions, the voice is unanimously loud and clear! We are tired of strikes!!!!.