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Several University Unions have hit out at the University of Nairobi’s Council over embezzlement of funds meant for the implementation of 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), called on the government to appoint new members to the council citing corruption allegations with the Prof. Julia Ojiambo led Council whose term expired last week
Addressing the Media today, the University unions asked the government to be keen when selecting the next council.
According to Mr. Peter Waita, Deputy Secretary General KUSU, the internal CBA was signed and released by the government and cleared for implementation by the Courts as it was.
“The court directed for the internal CBA to be implemented as it was. Part of the public taxes were misappropriated by the UON management,” said Waita
He further stated that the UON management doesn’t want to be accountable for the funds.
They went on to accuse the council for ignoring the university staff welfare issues despite proposals being sent to them.
“The outgoing Council has left the staff Members at the lowest morale ever. They have not fulfilled anything in the local CBA of the University. The government has to be keen when choosing the next council. This will make the members to feel motivated,” said Maloko Wekesa UASU Secretary University of Nairobi Branch.
They are now pushing for the reopening of the physical learning claiming that the Students are no longer enjoying the online classes as some are not even attending them.
“staff welfare issues were ignored, despite Proposals being sent. They have refused to negotiate the internal CBA of 1.2 Billion and no documents were even shared. When they received the cash, they ignored and were never willing to meet the committees for implementations,” waita the Deputy Secretary for Kenya University Staff Union, UON branch.
“The students are no longer enjoying virtual classes. Other universities resumed physical learning, university of Nairobi should also follow suit. Even if you ask the students they will tell you they are bored by the virtual classes and many of them are not even attending,” added Maloko.
The chairman UASU, Dr. Richard Bosire stated that people have continued to be employed on the basis of nepotism and clannism without following the laid down protocol of advertising and recruitment
“There has been embezzlement of funds and demolishing of houses belonging to staff. Properties belonging to the university have also been sold and some of the properties now have bars,” he said.
He further added that the health services of the university collapsed with no health services offered to students and staff.
The chairman demanded the EACC and CID to investigate what was happening in the University of Nairobi.