Drama unfolded at Moi University’s main campus in Eldoret on Friday, November 8, 2024, when hundreds of striking University staff issued fresh demands over the re-opening of the institution.
The university management had announced that the institution would be reopened on November 11.
This was announced after the university management board held a consultative meeting with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) officials.
Moi university’s Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Isaac S. Kosgey, announced a program of activities that would take place before the institution is fully reopened.
The program featured a series of meetings this week with several stakeholders including the National Assembly Committee on Education which was scheduled to hold a crisis meeting at the University amid a stand-off between lecturers, other workers and the management in a bid to resolve the prevailing standoff.
However, a stalemate was witnessed at the institution after hundreds of Moi University staff blocked the committee from meeting with the management.
In videos seen by The Kenya Times, the lecturers and other workers confronted the committee chaired by Tinderet Member of Parliament (MP) Julius Melly demanding the removal of the management at the university, saying the institution needs a fresh start.
“Haturudi kazi (We’re not going back to work),” they chanted while holding placards outside the administration block.
Parliamentary committee on Education addresses Moi University staff
Also Read: Moi University Disowns Statement Hours to Planned Reopening
“Representing the Parliamentary Committee on Education, I want to tell the Vice Chancellor and the management, no one should be victimized in any way,” he said amid claps and shouts from the staff members.
He added, “You have been very patient and have really sacrificed your life. All my members are here we are fifteen members in my committee, and what we have seen here, we have never seen anywhere. I want to assure you that all what you have said, and one of the things you have discussed here is a caretaker management.”
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Woes at the University
Efforts to resolve the month-long strike by the workers have hit a snag as they demanded to be paid all their dues amounting to over Ksh10 billion.
The money includes Ksh5 billion for the workers’ pension scheme and another Ksh1.2 billion for bank loans.
On his part, UASU branch secretary Ojuki Nyabuta said they were not part of the plan to reopen the university because they had not been paid their dues.
“We will not go back to class unless all our dues are paid. The management can reopen the university and do what they want but we are not part of that,” Ojuki said.
Some students have already reported back to the college amid uncertainty over its operations.
Also Read: Profile of Prof. Isaac Kosgey: At the Center of Moi University’s Troubles
The lecturers and other workers camped at the university’s main campus on Friday waiting to be addressed by the MPs on the way forward.
Higher Education and Research Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala and other officials from the State Department are also at the institution.
Re-opening announced
“During its Special Meeting held on Thursday, 7th November 2024, the Senate approved the resumption of the 2024/2025 academic calendar with immediate effect.
“This is, therefore, to announce the opening of the University with immediate effect. Students are to report back for their studies and classes are to resume on Monday, 11th November 2024 at 8:00 am,” read the memo in part.
The National Treasury disbursed Ksh609 million to Moi University last month, with an additional Ksh500 million expected by November 15 to support financial stabilization and recovery.
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