NAIROBI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's lecturers and subordinate workers in public universities Tuesday called off a strike that had lasted more than two weeks and paralyzed the institutions of higher learning across the country.
Three unions -- the Universities' Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospital and Allied workers (Kudheiha) -- called off the strike after the government agreed to pay 52 million U.S. dollars.
KUSU Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya however vowed that lecturers will return to the streets if the government fails to release the money by the end of July.
"The strike has been called off but if lecturers fail to see the money reflected in our bank accounts by the end of this month, we will call the strike again," Mukhwaya told journalists in Nairobi.
Principal Secretary in charge of University Education Colletta Suda confirmed on Tuesday evening that the money is expected to be reach university accounts on Wednesday.
Early this month, the government released 48 million dollars for the 100 million dollar collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed in March.
"We want to give the government yet another benefit of doubt that the 52 million dollars is paid by July 31. Should that not be the case, the workers will down their tools again," said UASU Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga.
In January, university lecturers downed tools, citing state failure to honor an agreement on salary increase and better working conditions.
