Moi University Lecturers Strike: Classes Halted as Staff Demand Unpaid Dues
They further dismissed the new university funding model as unworkable and called on President William Ruto to intervene and save the institution from financial collapse.
UASU members take to the streets in Eldoret, demanding the resignation of Moi University's Vice Chancellor and the immediate release of overdue salaries, as frustrations over unfulfilled promises and financial mismanagement boil over/Pic James Gitaka
By Jessicah Nyaboke
Jeremiah Ojuki, the Secretary General of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) Uasin Gishu chapter, has vowed that lecturers will stay out of class until their dues are paid. Addressing the media at Moi University School of Medicine grounds, Ojuki stated that they had reached a breaking point and were ready to escalate their protests by closing schools and sending students home.
“The government cannot continue violating our rights by subjecting us to untold suffering,” Ojuki said. He expressed deep concern over the situation, pointing out that lecturers were facing severe financial hardships.
“It is sad that some of us have been sued by financial institutions for non-remittance of our dues. Dons cannot even service their loans and have been listed on CRBs,” Ojuki lamented.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the lecturers marched through the streets of Eldoret, with some holding signs that read, *”Punda amechoka,”* causing a significant traffic snarl.
The academic activities across all Moi University campuses have been paralyzed since Monday after over 900 members of the academic staff, affiliated with UASU, withdrew their services. The striking staff members have vowed not to return to work until their demands, including the resolution of frequent salary delays and poor working conditions, are met.
Led by UASU Moi University chapter chairman, Richard Okero, the lecturers accused the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Kosgey, of frustrating efforts to resolve the crisis. “The VC has been evading us whenever we seek an audience with him to discuss the issues affecting the smooth running of the institution,” Okero said.
“We have not been paid for two months, and yet the university management expects us to continue teaching. That will not happen. We have resolved to halt all academic activities until our concerns are addressed,” he added.
The lecturers also resolved not to supervise or mark examinations, warning that no amount of intimidation from the university management would silence their demands for fair treatment.
They further dismissed the new university funding model as unworkable and called on President William Ruto to intervene and save the institution from financial collapse. The dons emphasized the need for the Ministry of Education to overhaul the entire university council and management due to the mismanagement of resources, amounting to billions of shillings.
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