TUK Staff Strike Intensifies Over Unpaid Salaries and Welfare Issues
Staff members at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) have declared an indefinite strike after months of unresolved grievances with their employer.
Speaking on Thursday at a press briefing, University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Fred Sawenja expressed his frustration, citing delays in salaries, failure to remit statutory deductions and mismanagement of retirement benefits.
“Today, our members have said it is enough and it will be the last time,” he stated. “When we took our matter to Parliament, the Treasury and the Ministry of Education, it signaled that we had lost confidence in the employer’s capacity to resolve our issues. From now on, we will only listen to and engage these three arms of government. They must come to this institution and provide lasting, acceptable solutions.
The union outlined critical grievances in its strike notice issued on January 23, 2025, following a peaceful demonstration on January 14. Despite their petitions to Parliament, the Treasury and the Ministry of Education, they have yet to receive a formal response.
The strike officially commenced today, January 23, after the seven-day notice period elapsed.
Employees have not received their December 2024 salaries, with delays in payments dating back to September 2023.
“It is shameful that on January 23, we are asking about salaries from December 2024,” he remarked.
The employer has failed to remit statutory deductions, including PAYE, loans, insurance and contributions to staff retirement and affordable housing schemes.
“These omissions leave staff unable to access essential financial services,” said the union.
The university’s retirement scheme was wound up in July 2024, and the employer has yet to establish a new scheme, as mandated by law.
“Six months after it was wound up, there is no replacement in place, a violation of employees’ rights,” Sawenja said.
The union emphasized that the ongoing issues amount to a direct infringement on employees’ fundamental rights and freedoms.
“How do you enjoy your rights when you can’t even be paid your net salary? We are suffocated staff we cannot breathe!.
The union has resolved not to engage with the university administration, instead directing their demands to Parliament, the Treasury and the Ministry of Education.
“We will only accept lasting and acceptable solutions,” they stated, describing their position as “irreducible.”
As the strike disrupts operations at TUK, staff members insist they will not relent until their grievances are addressed comprehensively.
