Moi University managers fight back claims of running down college
A view of Moi University Main Campus in Uasin Gishu County on October 27, 2021.
Moi University leadership has defended itself against claims of mismanagement following reports of the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission probe.
In a statement released by the office of vice-chancellor Monday evening, the management sought to set the records straight to deflect the mounting criticism.
They disputed reports that staff have not been paid their salaries for several months, insisting that only October's salary is outstanding.
The statement also rejected claims that there are ghost workers in the payroll, while explaining the delays in the graduation of some students.
"Moi University has paid all salaries up to the end of September, 2024. Salaries for October, 2024 will be released this week, subject to staff resuming work," read the statement.
But the university managers acknowledged the institution has financial problems.
"Nevertheless, there has been a delay in remitting some statutory deductions before September 2024 owing to inadequate capitation to the university," it added.
Under fire over persistent complaints about alleged mismanagement, the leadership also dismissed "a recent media report that indicated there were 1,800 ghost workers at Moi University".
In the contrary, the statement explained, Moi University had a workforce of 2,960, which comprises 821 teaching staff (102 on contract), 1,501 non-teaching staff (29 on contract) and 638 contract staff (formerly employed as casuals).
"There are no ghost workers on the Moi University payroll," it added.
Delayed graduation
The university management also addressed the plight of final year students at the College of Health Sciences who have taken longer to complete their programme.
Enrolled in 2016 for a six-year bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery degree programme, the students are yet to graduate.
The institution insists the delay "has been occasioned largely by factors beyond the university's control".
The statement cites crippling strikes by members of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) in 2017, 2018 and 2021.
Additionally, the statement explains, the programme was affected by another strike over the row between KMPDU and the Ministry of Health on the internship placement from April to July this year as well as the ongoing strike by members of the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) that started in September.
The statement also noted earlier disruption during the Covid-19 pandemic that led to the shutdown of the university for six months.
"These factors have interrupted learning at the College of Health Sciences for 21 months. The students in the 2016 cohort are remaining with three months to complete the course, and the University has put in place remedial steps to ensure the students graduate by February 2025," the statement adds.
The university observes the 2016 to 2019 cohorts in other programmes have already graduated, with the 2020 and 2021 groups graduating in December this year.
"This is because their programmes are not affected by factors external to the University," the statement says.
The EACC 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.
