Moi University Shutdown Enters Fourth Week as Lecturers’ Strike Paralyzes Learning
The strike, involving over 2,000 lecturers, has left hundreds of first-year students stranded, missing classes since they reported to campus last month
Lecture halls at Moi University’s main campus and its Eldoret town campuses have remained deserted for a fourth consecutive week, as lecturers persist with their industrial action over unfulfilled demands.
The strike, involving over 2,000 lecturers, has left hundreds of first-year students stranded, missing classes since they reported to campus last month. Medical students at the university’s town campus have also been significantly affected, with their academic programs coming to a complete halt. The striking lecturers have vowed not to return to work until all their demands are met.
“We are not going back until the university management addresses our concerns. Learning will remain paralyzed until then,” said Ojuki Nyabuta, Secretary of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Moi University chapter.
Last Thursday, national union leaders from UASU and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) called off their nationwide strike after meeting with the inter-ministerial committee and signing a return-to-work agreement.
“The Union shall immediately call off the industrial action upon the execution of this agreement. As a result, the Employer shall withdraw unconditionally the Employment and Labour Relations Cause Number E780 of 2024, and parties shall bear their own costs,” read part of the UASU statement.
The union assured its members that no one would face victimization or disciplinary action for participating in the strike.
However, the situation at Moi University remains volatile. In Eldoret, lecturers and non-teaching staff, who claim their strike has only just begun, insist that there is no going back until their demands are fully addressed.
On Friday, over 3,000 employees affiliated with KUSU joined the striking lecturers in a protest march that brought business to a standstill in Eldoret town. The protestors made their way to the Uasin Gishu County Commissioner’s office to present a petition detailing their grievances.
“All learning programs and core activities have been shut down at Moi University and its satellite campuses since we withdrew our labor four weeks ago. We are demanding our rights,” stated Nyabuta, accusing the university’s top management of failing to implement the 2017/2022 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Nyabuta expressed frustration, noting that Moi University remains one of the few public institutions that have yet to implement the agreement. “The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Kosgey, continues to avoid any discussions with us regarding the implementation of our CBA, which has now been delayed for seven years,” he added.
Tensions escalated earlier at the Uasin Gishu County Commissioner’s office when armed police officers blocked the protestors from entering the premises. The lecturers, carrying placards and twigs, attempted to force their way through but were stopped by the officers.
“Kindly stop there. We will not allow all of you into the County Commissioner’s premises. Besides, the boss is not available; he is engaged elsewhere on official duties,” said one officer stationed at the gate.
The protestors, accompanied by five police land cruisers, later marched to Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii’s office. However, upon arrival, they found the gates closed and were informed that the governor was unavailable.
“Governor Bii is not available at the moment. You may need to channel your grievances elsewhere,” said one of the county enforcement officers.
The strike continues to cripple learning at Moi University, leaving students and faculty in limbo as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.
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