HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 10499,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/10499/?format=api",
"text_counter": 312,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Prof. Kamar",
"speaker_title": "The Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology",
"speaker": {
"id": 33,
"legal_name": "Margaret Jepkoech Kamar",
"slug": "margaret-kamar"
},
"content": " Okay, Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, hon. Wamalwa wanted to know what has been done by the Government. I said that on 13th October, we had the first meeting where the issue of the circular from Amb. Muthaura was questioned. We were able to agree that we were going to work on that. As I mentioned earlier, we were able to surmount that one. We even had another meeting on 19th and the process has been on up to yesterday when they did not go to Kisumu. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, hon. Mungatana asked why we lengthen negotiations instead of just paying. Again, the process of salaries, when it comes to unions requires that you negotiate whatever terms they have. The negotiation is actually not with the Ministry, but between the university councils and the unions. As far as we are concerned as a Ministry, the councils had shown goodwill. It is just that the unions did not take the opportunity seriously and go for the negotiations. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, hon. Karua asked whether, having been a professor in the university, I have actually gone into serious and meaningful dialogue. I have done it very seriously. The only problem is the uniqueness of that kind of strike. The uniqueness is that there has been change of goal posts. If you look at the scenario, the first request that came from UASU was that they wanted to open the negotiations and we did that. The second one was that they wanted something to be on the table. We said: “Let us move to Kisumu. We will bring something to the table.” They did not appear in Kisumu. Failure to that, we actually invited them to come to my office yesterday, and they did not show up. Then, in releasing their own notice for the strike, they also brought in two different things which were not there. There was another change of goal posts. The third one is that they wanted to talk to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance. In the written document that I have, they have said that they now want to talk to the Minister for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, because they want to restructure their salaries. So, the issue is that, as much as we have done negotiations--- I respect the question by hon. Karua. What she has said is true. I have even negotiated when I was in the university. But change of goal posts is something that is extremely new. I do not understand. Up to now, as a Ministry, we are wondering why the goal posts have been changing. In fact, where they are now and what they have asked in the letter that they released; that they would like to discuss with the Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, they are back to the letter from Amb. Muthaura. That is because the letter was saying that the negotiations should be done by the Commission on Salaries and Remuneration, which is really under the Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030. So, if they are interested in that one, it is much easier for us. That is because we will go back to the original set up and they can negotiate. Unfortunately, the Commission has not been set up, but we know that it is going to be set up. So, that was one of the issues. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the last one was from hon. Odhiambo- Mabona, who wanted us to clarify why we are having difficulties and yet, the universities are actually collecting a lot of money from BSSP programmes. I want to confirm that, yes, the collections are done. But part of the funds collected go back to develop the institutions. In fact, about 30 per cent is used to pay the lecturers over and above their normal salaries. But 70 per cent of the money collected is used partly to supplement the other original salary. That is because the capitation currently is not enough. Yes, they collect but it is not money that university councils can access freely. That is because it is tied to the development of the institution. Those were the comments that I was given. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, I only want to again appeal to the universities and the unions that the only way you can broker a deadlock like that, is to sit on the table. It is wrong for the unions to avoid going to the round table and claim that nobody has allowed them to discuss. That is because there is nothing that they have put on the table. We are expecting them to go to the table and make their demand and then, we will give them the offer that we already have so that this matter can be solved. I also want to appeal to them; the Union and university lecturers, that at stake in all these are the students. Some students pay. There are parallel and privately sponsored students within the same institutions and we should not disadvantage the students because of an issue that can be resolved. Nobody has denied them the opportunity to negotiate. That has been opened up and they should move forward and do that. Thank you."
}