Moi University Lecturers Stand Firm as Strike Enters Day 37
The union leaders condemned certain vice chancellors and deputy vice chancellors—who themselves were former lecturers—to have turned against their members
The union leaders condemned certain vice chancellors and deputy vice chancellors—who themselves were former lecturers—to have turned against their members once they took up administrative positions. Photo/ Achieng Kemuma
By Juliet Jerotich
The countrywide national strike by university staff has reached day 37, and lecturers from Moi University have pledged to continue the strike until their demands are met in totality. The strike, which was conducted under the banner of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), has brought learning to a standstill in public universities across the nation.
In addressing the press at Moi University, leadership of the union in the area—including Dr. Wekesa Busolo, UASU chapter chairperson, Mark Chepkwemoi, KUSU secretary, and Richard Okero—confirmed that so far, there are no learning activities taking place in the institution. They indicated that most students, who had maintained the hope of returning to class soon, have since headed home after exhausting their resources. “As we speak, Moi University is a ghost university,” Dr. Busolo explained. “There are no students, and there are no classes.”
The union leaders added that the strike focuses on three main issues. First, they demand that the government and the administration of the universities pay the second tranche of the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) arrears, which are not paid. Secondly, they are demanding full payment of the monies due under the 2017–2021 CBA, which they said has been overdue for over eight years. The third is the urgent negotiation and signing of the new 2025–2029 CBA to prevent perpetual litigations.
The government has continued to ignore court rulings and legal procedures, as claimed by Dr. Busolo. He quoted a 2021 court judgment that reaffirmed the legality of the 2017–2021 CBA and directed its implementation in full. “The Attorney General himself admitted that the document is legal and enforceable, but up to now, the funds have not been released,” he said.
The unions also revealed inconsistencies in the figures released by the Ministry of Education. Whereas the ministry initially claimed that universities were owed KSh 624 million, the common audit by the unions and university councils revealed that the actual figure is KSh 8.1 billion. “We would like the media and members of the public to query this inconsistency,” said Chepkwemoi. How will the figures transition from 624 million to 8 billion in a week? These are funds that belong to workers rightfully.”
Richard Okero lamented that despite their dedication, lecturers continue to wallow in hardships and retire poor due to delayed payment and unpaid pensions. “We worked this nation diligently, and yet some of our colleagues retire and pass away poor. It is disappointing,” he said.
The union leaders condemned certain vice chancellors and deputy vice chancellors—who themselves were former lecturers—to have turned against their members once they took up administrative positions. They urged them to support instead of thwarting the workers’ struggle.
The government was urged by the authorities to bring the crisis to an end without delay, warning that it would have far-reaching consequences for the nation if it ignored higher education any longer. “If the government is concerned about education, it should not have allowed this strike to continue for 37 days,” stated Dr. Busolo.
They concluded by reaffirming their commitment to continue the strike until all dues were paid. “We are not asking for charity; we are asking for what is rightfully ours,” declared Chepkwemoi. “The moment this issue is settled, we will gladly return to school. But for the time being, the strike continues.”
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