The crisis at Moi University took a new twist, with Kenya’s anti-corruption watchdog starting investigations into alleged corruption and wastage of funds at the troubled institution.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday summoned Vice Chancellor Isaac Kosgey to appear before detectives on Tuesday and record a statement on the alleged loss of funds in multiple projects worth over Sh2 billion.
The specifics of the projects that EACC is investigating were not immediately clear, with the commission set to share more details later Monday.
The EACC summons came as it emerged that striking Moi University staff are yet to receive their pay arrears even after a promise that the National Treasury had disbursed Sh3.5 billion to cater for the same.
Release of the money was largely anticipated to unlock the stalemate between striking staff and the management board over pay arrears and paralysed learning activities.
Consequently, University Academic Staff Union (Uasu) has petitioned the management to fast-track the release of the funds as pledged by the Parliamentary Committee of Education.
The money was pledged as part of the Sh8.6 billion salary arrears and statutory deductions owed to the striking workers, to facilitate a return to work formula and resolve learning paralysis at the institution.
“The management needs to unlock the impasse by declaring the availability of the Sh3.5 billion and unveil a detailed account of how the money will be utilised to the benefit of the workers,” said Nyabuta Ojuki, Uasu Moi University Chapter secretary.
The Parliamentary Committee on Education, while on a fact-finding tour of the financially troubled university two weeks ago, disclosed the release of Sh3.5 billion by Treasury to salvage it from further crisis.
“Through our parliamentary committee, the Sh3.5 billion is already in the university account and will be used only to settle verified arrears,” said Dickson Maungu, Luanda MP and committee member.
According to the committee, the Sh3.5 million is meant to pay part of the Sh8.6 billion arrears for salaries and statutory deductions.
Although the committee disclosed that the funds had been wired to the university account to fast-track its reopening, the union yesterday maintained that they are yet to receive any payment.
“The availability of the funds will enable most workers to meet their financial obligations and resume duties considering that we are in agreement with the management on most non-monetary issues,” added Mr Ojuki.
According to Uasu, Sh1.2 billion of the money should be allocated to settle bank loans and another Sh1.2 billion towards Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) arrears, while the rest be distributed to Group Life Care, benevolent fund, union dues among other pending bills.
Learning activities remain paralysed despite the reopening of the university a week ago despite the management issuing threats of stern disciplinary action against staff who have not resumed work.
The crisis rocking the financially troubled university took a new twist yesterday after the management issued more suspensions and showed cause for failing to resume duty.
“It has been decided that you be suspended from the service of Moi University with immediate effect pending investigations into allegation that you were involved in calling for, taking part in, instigating, or inciting staff to continue participating in, an unprotected strike or any other form of industrial action,” stated a suspension letter signed by Prof Kirimi Kiriamiti, deputy vice-chancellor, administration, planning and strategy to one of the affected workers.
The management while directing the reopening of the university last Monday asked the staff to resume duty or face disciplinary measures.
“All staff are directed that they are expected to be on duty and to discharge their duties as expected. Failure to comply with this directive shall result in consideration of appropriate disciplinary measures,” said a memo by Prof. Eng Kiriamiti.
Among the financial irregularities under probe at the university include failure to remit Sh4 billion in payroll deductions, defaulted on a Sh3 billion loan owed to Rivatex East Africa Limited, and accumulated Sh1.1 billion in unpaid bills as of June 2020.
The declining student enrolment from 50,000 in 2015 to 27,000 in 2021 and about 20,000 in 2023 and the closure of non-viable campuses are other factors affecting the institution.
Other misfortunes include reduced exchequer funding due to implementation of differentiated unit cost in computing the recurrent capitation and rising cost of personnel enrolment due to National CBAs that have not been fully funded.
