🎧 Full Speech: Prof. Josiah Ochieng Odalo Declares UASU TUM Chapter Strike
Full Speech. Prof Josiah Ochieng Odalo
Prof Josiah Ochieng Odalo on 2/10/2026 during strike UASU Launch
Date 2/10/2026:MOMBASA, KENYA — Academic staff at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) have officially joined the nationwide industrial action. Speaking during the strike launch, Prof. Josiah Ochieng Odalo, the TUM UASU Chapter Secretary, declared that lecturers and university staff are officially off duty until further notice.
Addressing members and the public, Prof. Odalo outlined three core grievances driving the union's decision to down tools:
🔑 Key Demands Driving the Strike
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1️⃣ Unhonored 2025–2029 CBA Window The government has failed to respect the agreed 60-day window period established on November 5th of last year. The administration was expected to negotiate, sign, register, and implement the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), but has defaulted on this commitment.
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2️⃣ Funding for Employee Emoluments via the Exchequer The union strongly rejected proposals to pay public university staff salaries from student-collected tuition fees. Citing Article 260 of the Kenyan Constitution, Prof. Odalo emphasized that public officers must be remunerated through funds from the Exchequer or monies approved directly by Parliament. Furthermore, the union slammed the proposed Higher Education Placement and Funding Bill 2026, calling it defective for attempting to relegate staff emoluments merely to the definition section rather than guaranteeing direct Exchequer funding.
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3️⃣ Altered Generic Human Resource Instruments The union exposed bad faith negotiations regarding generic human resource instruments discussed with IPUCCF. University management allegedly altered negotiated terms behind the union's back before submission to the Public Service Commission. UASU demands that the document be immediately recalled, reopened, properly renegotiated, and mutually agreed upon.
🤝 A Plea to the Public
Prof. Odalo appealed for patience and understanding from parents, students, and the general public during this disruptive period.
"We plead with the public that they bear with us. Once we are through with this battle, their students, their children will continue learning. But for now, we are off duty until otherwise directed." — Prof. Josiah Ochieng Odalo, TUM UASU Chapter Secretary
