Staff at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) have embarked on an indefinite strike over delayed salary payments and deteriorating working conditions. The staff, both academic and non-academic, expressed frustration over the non-payment of their December 2024 salaries, which has left many in financial hardship.
Leading the protest, Fred Sawenja, secretary general of the Kenya University Staff Organization (KUSO), in collaboration with the Kenya Universities and Colleges Workers Union (KEDHEHA), condemned the university management for neglecting its staff. Sawenja voiced the collective outrage, saying, “It is shameful that on January 23, 2025, we are still demanding salaries owed from last year. Enough is enough.”
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The strike followed a peaceful demonstration on January 14, 2025, during which the staff presented petitions to the Parliament, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Education. Despite their efforts, no formal response was received. Frustrated by the lack of action, the unions issued a seven-day strike notice, which expired at midnight, forcing workers to down tools.
The workers accuse the university of neglecting their welfare for months. They claim they have endured persistent salary delays since September 2023, causing them to struggle financially. In addition, the institution has allegedly failed to remit legally required deductions for loans, insurance premiums, and other obligations, exposing workers to penalties and financial insecurity. Compounding the crisis is the collapse of the staff pension scheme in July 2024, which has left employees uncertain about their financial future.
Speaking passionately about the situation, Sawenja declared, “Our members have been suffocating under poor working conditions and financial neglect for years. Today we draw the line.”
The strike has paralyzed TUK operations as workers demand immediate intervention from Parliament, the National Treasury and the Ministry of Education. The unions have also criticized the Retirement Benefits Authority for failing to protect workers’ rights.
The crisis at TUK reflects the broader challenges facing Kenya’s public universities, where chronic underfunding and poor governance continue to weigh heavily on workers and students alike.
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