The entrance to Moi University's main campus in Kesses, Uasin Gishu County on February 08, 2024.
Students at Moi University stare at the possibility of yet another interruption to their studies just before they begin examinations. This is after their lecturers issued a seven-day strike notice over delayed February salaries.
The students only returned to lecture rooms in December 2024 after a three-month strike by the workers that paralysed learning at the institution. The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) accuses the management of the university of flouting the Return-to-Work-Formula deal they signed in December over the contentious Sh8.6 billion salary and statutory deductions debt.
“All Uasu members at Moi University shall withdraw their labour and shall not resume duty until the February 2025 salary is paid in full,” said Dr Constantine Wasonga, Uasu secretary-general, noting that the strike will commence on Friday.
Moi University Vice Chancellor Prof Isaac Kosgei (centre) walks past striking staff on November 8, 2024.
Under the Return-to-Work-Formula, the unions secured Sh2.6 billion in cash and assets and the immediate release of Sh500 million.
Additionally, the union was allocated Sh7.7 billion under the 2021/2027 CBA to be implemented in two phases of Sh4.3 billion and Sh5.2 billion in the 2025/2026 and 2027/2027 financial years.
However, the university faces challenges in paying staff salaries even after it received additional funding from the National Treasury and laying off hundreds of workers.
“We are all aware of the financial challenges facing the university that have led to a delay in payment of the February 2025 salary. Efforts are being made by the university management and council to resolve the issues responsible for the delay,” Prof Kiplagat Kotut, the acting vice-chancellor, stated in an internal memo.
Some of the staff interviewed by Nation said they are unable to commute to the workplace.
“Following the concern raised by some staff, a university bus will be available to transport the affected staff to the main campus. Preference will be given to staff scheduled to invigilate examinations,” explained Prof Kotut.
The treasury apportioned an additional Sh1.8 billion to Moi University last month to pay its employees and meet other recurrent expenses in the current financial year.
According to the newly tabled supplementary budget, approved estimates for salaries and other recurrent expenses for the university rose from Sh4.17 billion to Sh6.4 billion for the year ended June 2025.
Moi University lecturers demonstrate in Eldoret City on September 27, 2024.
Moi University’s appropriation in aid (A.I.A), which is deducted from the state’s funding, rose by Sh456.4 million from Sh2.67 billion to Sh3.12 billion in the amended approved estimates.
The university has issued sacking letters to 324 of its staff to cut down on operational costs, in a bid to reclaim its lost glory. The university bank accounts were in September attached over Sh185 million debt owed to a contractor.
The Timeline:
Moi University crisis
August 26, 2024: Lecturers at all campuses of Moi University go on strike demanding to be paid their two months’ salary arrears and protesting the non-remittance of deductions.
October 03, 2024: Moi University’s main campus is closed indefinitely due to the strike that students joined.
October 10, 2024: Parliament directs Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu to conduct a forensic audit into the financial status of Moi University
November 14, 2024: University management suspends striking workers
November 20, 2024: Moi University VC Prof Isaac Kosgey is grilled by EACC over the alleged embezzlement of Sh2.2 billion at the institution.
December 1, 2024: The university reopens after the Ministry of Education and the institution staff reached an agreement to call off the strike.
January 17, 2025: Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba fires all Moi University council members and appoints a new team to oversee the restructuring of the institution.
January 22, 2025: A new University council is sworn in.
March 18, 2025: Moi University terminated the contracts of 324 staff members to cut operational costs amid financial struggles. The affected employees, mainly from security, cleaning, hostels, and library departments, were informed that their contracts would not be renewed beyond March 31, 2025. The decision was attributed to a significant decline in student enrollment, which had dropped from 50,000 in 2015 to 27,000 in 2021, reducing the university's workload and revenue.
March 21, 2025: Lecturers at Moi University issue a seven-day strike notice over delayed salaries. According to the notice, the strike is set to commence on Friday, March 28, 2025, if the university fails to meet the demands within the stipulated period.
bbii@ke.nationmedia.com
