Egerton VC says only staff who worked will get December salaries
Prof Isaac Ongubo Kibwage during the 44th graduation ceremony on December 17, 2021.
Egerton University Management Board is making final arrangements to pay more than 1,800 teaching and non-teaching staff their delayed December salaries.
The Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Ongubo Kibwage assured the workers that they will be paid tomorrow.
"The capitation came when we had closed the university due to a strike. The staff will be paid on Wednesday," said Prof Kibwage.
However, he said only those who worked will be paid their dues.
More than 600 lecturers at the Njoro-based institution downed their tools in November after the university management failed to pay them the full benefits of their 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), including a pay rise.
The workers complained that they had not been paid their December salaries.
“This is the worst festive season I have ever had since I started working at Egerton University as a messenger in the last 15 years. The University Management Board should pack and go home if they have failed to manage the university," said an angry non-teaching staff.
Another worker said that his children have not reported back to school for the third term due to lack of school fees.
"I have tried to secure a bank loan but banks have refused to accept my payslip as a security saying Egerton University is not a good guarantor," said the worker.
Last month, the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Planning and Development Prof Richard Mulwa issued a notice that exposed the university's deep financial crisis. He said the institution will not be able to pay full salaries with effect from December 2021.
"This is to notify all staff that during the 562nd University Management Board meeting held on December 21, 2021, the financial situation of the university was assessed. It was determined that the university will not be able to pay full salaries beginning December 2021. Meanwhile, kindly note that the university has not received the capitation for December 2021," said the notice signed by Prof Mulwa on December 22.
