The Universities' Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kirinyaga University Chapter, has called for the immediate removal of Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic, Research and Student Affairs, Prof. Charles Omwandho, over allegations of harassment and intimidation of two union officials.
The union members took to the streets along the Kerugoya-Kutus Road and near the university's main gate, protesting what they described as unfair treatment of their colleagues, Mwangi Njomo and Wachira Kaburu.
The demonstrations were led by UASU Chapter Secretary Lucas Macharia and Dr. Robert Gitau, who also serves as a chapter secretary.
According to the union officials, the incident occurred on Monday, October 12, 2026, when Prof. Omwandho allegedly approached Njomo, the union's organising secretary, and Kaburu, a union member, at their designated workstations.
UASU claims the two were carrying out their duties peacefully when the deputy vice chancellor took photographs of them without their consent and the union argues that the action violated the Data Protection Act.
The officials further alleged that Prof. Omwandho attempted to compel the two members to switch off their mobile phones before proceeding to the university's main gate, where he allegedly instructed security guards and later the chief security officer to deny them entry into the institution until further notice.
The union maintains that the decision to bar the two officials from accessing the university was unlawful and was made without following the proper disciplinary procedures.
UASU has also cited previous confrontations involving the deputy vice chancellor, claiming the latest incident reflects a pattern of hostility towards its members.
The union alleges that in March 2018, seven elected officials were denied access to the university throughout a national strike without being formally charged.
It further claims that Prof. Omwandho physically and verbally assaulted and harassed union members during another national strike in September 2024.
The chapter accuses the deputy vice chancellor of violating several laws, including the Constitution, the Data Protection Act, the Labour Relations Act, the Fair Administrative Action Act and the Employment Act.
It also argues that the alleged exclusion of the two officials from their workstations violated the university's disciplinary procedures and principles of natural justice.
UASU wants Njomo and Kaburu granted immediate, unconditional and unrestricted access to their duty stations. It has also demanded Prof. Omwandho's immediate removal from the university.
The union has vowed to continue its strike until its demands are met, saying it will pursue other lawful avenues to secure the reinstatement of its members and push for the deputy vice chancellor's removal.
