Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Constantine Wasonga Opiyo has been involved in a heated exchange with a part-time lecturer who was conducting an online class despite the ongoing nationwide university lecturers’ strike. The confrontation unfolded after Wasonga joined the lecturer’s virtual class through an online meeting link as she was preparing to teach her students. He questioned why part-time lecturers were continuing to conduct lessons while their colleagues were on strike.
The lecturer responded that part-time tutors did not operate separate universities and argued that they do not benefit from the issues the union is pursuing. She claimed that she had gone about four years without receiving payment for her part-time teaching work, but she continued to teach. This led to a tense exchange, with the lecturer accusing Wasonga of insulting her in front of her students.
The exchange became increasingly heated, with the lecturer telling Wasonga to stop insulting her and leave her virtual class. Wasonga subsequently declared that the lecturer would not teach before logging out of the virtual class shortly afterwards. The incident has sparked debate about the role of part-time lecturers in the ongoing industrial action.
The confrontation comes amid a nationwide strike by university lecturers that began on October 2, following a stalemate in negotiations over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The union is pushing for progress on the CBA, including issues concerning remuneration and allowances, and has blamed delays by university councils and the government for the impasse.
The union has previously accused part-time lecturers of weakening past industrial actions by continuing to teach while other academic staff were on strike. Wasonga's actions have been seen as an attempt to enforce the union's stance on the issue. However, some have argued that part-time lecturers have different circumstances and should not be expected to join the strike.
The incident has raised questions about the future of the strike and the relationship between the union and part-time lecturers. The strike is ongoing, with no immediate resolution in sight. The situation remains tense, with both sides dug in on their respective positions. The incident has sparked a national conversation about the role of part-time lecturers and the challenges facing the education sector.
Key points
- The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) Secretary General Constantine Wasonga Opiyo clashed with a part-time lecturer over online classes amid the ongoing nationwide university lecturers’ strike.
- The lecturer claimed she had not been paid for four years for part-time teaching work but continued to teach.
- The strike began on October 2, following a stalemate in negotiations over the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
