Tag Archives: Ministry

EDUCATION | Strike by Public University Dons Persists

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“Public Universities are part of the government and it was government’s wish that all its workers are well remunerated. As government, we want to see that the university staff is paid well. I appeal to unions, not to use the weapon of strike menacingly, but as a weapon of last resort,” said the Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, as he brokered negotiations to call off a similar strike by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), last year.

The government’s failure to honor its pledges to civil servants, gives reason to the re-current strikes in public institutions. The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) cited stalled implementation of new salaries and allowances, as the reasons for the strike. Last year, Finance Permanent Secretary, Joseph Kinyua, “presented a signed letter to his Higher Education counterpart, Professor Crispus Kiamba, committing the government to pay the last installment of 2008/09 – 2009/10 financial years, collective bargaining agreements…” Capital FM website reported.  Recently on October 19th varsity dons signalled a strike with the union chairman Samuel Kubasu, saying lecturers expected the new pay rise to be between 30-40 per cent. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru9IicNR46Y&feature=fvsr            The impasse at the universities arose after the authorities failed to respond to demands for a salary increase, whose negotiation started in 2009, but stalled mid-stream.” Meanwhile, Mr. Justice Paul Kosgei, of the Industrial Court ruled that, “pending the hearing and determination of an application filed by the Inter-University Council Consultative Forum, the lecturers should not engage in any activity likely to paralyze learning at higher institutions.” allAfrica.com reported. Despite the ruling, the strike continues. Egerton University becomes the latest institution to be closed, and students sent home as the lecturers strike proceeds into day 3. Going into the second week of the strike, the situation is expected to worsen following Thursday night’s unfruitful talks, involving the Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, seeking to arrive at a compromise.

With this new constitutional dispensation, and in this age and time, some things were bound to happen; on one hand, the citizenry would become more aware of their civil rights, thus demanding them, where they previously would not, and on the other, the government would fail to own up to its pledges, more so during this time, that you can only hide a little or none, from the public’s watchful eyes. What a risky area to begin a crisis? Education is the key. Whoever is concerned with its safe-keeping should be careful lest it breaks.

References:

Court Halts Lecturers’ Strike allAfrica.com Novermber 9, 2011

Strike Cripples Varsity Exams and Graduation November 9, 2011

All the Sides to Blame for Unnecessary Strikes November 9, 2011

Judge Rules Varsity Dons Strike Illegal Novermber 10, 2011

Varsity lecturers’ signal strike October 19, 2011

Kenya university dons call off strike April 8, 2010

 

THE STATE OF DROUGHT IN KENYA | Turning Adversity into Opportunity

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A recent report by the government indicated that, livestock worth 64.2 billion in the ASAL areas, has been wiped out as the region experiences the worst drought in 60 years. “A quarter of the country’s zebu herd in ASAL areas of 14 million animals is lost and the worst is possibly yet to come” Daily Nation reported.

A brief on investment opportunities available in Kenya, accredited by the Ministry of State for Planning National Development and Vision 2030 stated that, “livestock production in the ASAL accounts for nearly 90% of the employment opportunities and nearly 95% of the family incomes. It also accounts for about 45% of the Agricultural GDP.”  Though natural calamities such as drought cannot be controlled, its effects can be anticipated, thus loss of people’s lives and property as a result of the same can adequately be subdued. Isn’t it wrong in the face of the fact that, 75% of Kenya’s livestock are in the ASAL areas, whereas they are served with less than 10% of livestock service staff? What sense is in losing 64bn on one hand, and soliciting for aid funds to a tune of 1bn on the other? If that is anything to go by, then we have surely settled for less than survival. It is envisioned in the Kenya’s Vision 2030, to increase farmers income, create employment, and reduce malnutrition and food insecurity. Investing in the livestock sector, especially in the North Eastern Province (NEP), may be a good place to begin. “The development of a fully fledged export industry for processed livestock products, would doubtless have the greatest impact on the economy, and welfare of the NEP and its people” ReSAKSS, 2008. The article titled, Investment Opportunities for Livestock in the North Eastern Province of Kenya: A Synthesis of Existing Knowledge, further points out that strengthening of the institutions that, “ensure political stability, public security and protection of investment and ownership would induce investors to contribute to the development of the NEP through investment in the livestock sector.”

Mandera Livestock Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is not too late to begin, for all is not lost. It is true that one doesn’t appreciate the value of what they have, till it is lost. But the fool is the one who sits back and stands to lose, even more. Challenges are there, for the ones who are ready to take them. Turning the current drought adversity into an opportunity for growth, can begin with just a simple step as laying down commercially oriented road networks, into the NEP.

 

What’s Your Say?

References:

Drought wipes out herd worth Sh64bn Daily Nation August 7, 2011

Investment Opportunities Google Docs (as of) August 10, 2011

Investment Opportunities for Livestock in the North Eastern Province of Kenya: A Synthesis of Existing Knowledge ReSAKSS, 2008