Moi University has addressed and clarified recent reports circulating in the public domain regarding the Institution’s state of affairs.
In a memo, the Vice Chancellor (VC)Professor Isaac Sanga Kosgey explained the reasons why the final year students at the College of Health Sciences have not graduated yet.
“We acknowledge that the 2016 cohort of our students pursuing Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, a 6-year Degree programme, are yet to graduate. However, the delay has been occasioned largely by factors beyond the University’s control,” Kosgey said.
The factors highlighted by the VC include three industrial actions by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
He mentioned the 100-day-long strike in 2017, a 78-day-long strike in 2018 and a 100-day-long strike in 2021).
Additionally, he stated that the programme was affected by the Ministry of Health (MoH)-KMPDU strike for internship placement that lasted 58 days from April to July 2024, and the ongoing University Academic Staff Union (UASU) strike that started on September 23, 2024.
Prof. Kosgey also clarified that the students were affected by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that led to the disruption of learning at the University for 6 months.
According to the VC said, these factors have interrupted learning at the College of Health Sciences for 21 months.
“The students in the 2016 cohort are remaining with 3 months to complete the course, and the University has put in place remedial steps to ensure the students graduate by February 2025,” he said.
Other Programmes Not Affected
He noted that the 2016 to 2019 cohorts in other programmes have already graduated, with the 2020 and 2021 cohorts graduating in December 2024.
This, he said, is because their programmes are not affected by factors external to the University.
Kosgey said the institution remains steadfast in its mission to provide quality education and uphold its Institutional values as a center of academic excellence and innovation.
The clarification comes after medicine students revealed that they have been at the institution for nine years.
Moi University Staff Salary
Further, the VC dismissed reports that Moi University staff have not been paid their salaries for the past several months.
He stated that the University has paid all salaries up to the end of September 2024.
He said the salaries for October 2024 will be released this week, subject to staff resuming work.
Also Read: Profile of Prof. Isaac Kosgey: At the Center of Moi University’s Troubles
Nevertheless, Kosgey said there has been a delay in remitting some statutory deductions before September 2024 owing to inadequate capitation to the University.
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He also refuted media reports that there were 1,800 ghost workers at Moi University.
Kosgey explained that the University has a total 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,” he said.
State of Farm and Farm Machinery
According to the VC, the purchase of donkeys was not occasioned by lack of farm equipment as highlighted in some media reports.
He explained that the donkeys were purchased by the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources together with other farm animals such as cows, sheep and pigs for training purposes.
Kosgey said the University has serviceable tractors for use at the University Farm.
Also Read: Pain of Moi University Students Who Have Been in Campus for 9 Years
Besides, he said the University planted 100 acres of Apples in 2021 as part of the income-generation measures, and the utilization of the vast land resource.
“The first harvest was made in 2023 and generated an income of Ksh300,000. It is projected that production will increase in subsequent harvests,” he said.
Message to the Media & Public
Kosegy urged the public, including media outlets and social media users, to verify information before sharing.
He stated that the University’s communication channels remain open for inquiries, and they are always willing to provide clarification to counter misinformation.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission – EACC summoned Kosgey to appear before its detectives on November 19 for grilling over misappropriation of funds.
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