Tribalism and politics hurting the running of universities, lecturers say
Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) chairman Muga Kolale (right) with secretary-general Constantine Wasonga arrive for a press conference at Jacaranda Hotel, Nairobi, on December 9, 2017. FILE PHOTO | NMG.
UASU chairman Muga K'Olale says the vices have infiltrated job appointments and staff promotions, affecting quality and standards of education.
He says the problem has also affected the running of the union’s affairs
UASU officials also condemn Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi’s directive on contract employment.
University lecturers have cited tribalism and political interference as the greatest threats facing the running of public universities in the country.
During a University Academic Staff Union (UASU) National Delegates Committee meeting in Nakuru on Friday, the dons blamed the two vices as constituting the rot in the institutions of higher learning.
UASU chairman Muga K’Olale said the vices have infiltrated job appointments and staff promotions thus affecting quality and standards of education.
He gave a case study of the ethnicity factor that featured prominently during interviews for Moi University vice-chancellor as an example of the rot.
“Because of ethnicity and political factors, the country has seen 60 per cent of university manager’s hailing from the community within which the university is located,” said Mr K’Olale.
Mr K'Olale noted that there are some universities that have failed to promote or review their staff for more than eight years because most qualified candidates are not from their backyard.
He also pointed out that the problem has also affected the running of the unions' affairs because the tribal appointments lead to the creation of a political barrier in the institutions.
“It is becoming extremely difficult to manage the affairs of the unions especially from Mount Kenya, western and Rift Valley regions because of the political barrier that has been created by the university managers,” he added. The UASU officials also condemned Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi’s directive on contract employment, which they said was misguided.
“That will not happen, as far as the union is concerned staff from the post of assistant lecturers shall be employed on permanent and pensionable terms,” Mr Wasonga said.
The union further challenged government’s move to undertake reforms in education without involving stakeholders.
The union also urged university councils to negotiate and conclude their respective internal collective bargaining agreements in two months.
“We agreed with the Inter Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (PUCCF) that negotiation of universities’ internal CBAs be concluded latest by February 28, next year. Let the universities co-operate and do so within that time or else we will strike,” Mr Wasonga said.
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