Moi University strike enters third week as lecturers allege dismissal threats
UASU official Duncan Mukhwana said the union is aware of attempts to force lecturers back to work through threats of termination.
Lecturers at Moi University have accused the institution of issuing threats of dismissal as their strike enters the third week without a resolution.
The university’s Academic Staff Union (UASU) branch officials said they will not be intimidated into resuming classes until their grievances are addressed.
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Speaking in Eldoret, UASU official Duncan Mukhwana said the union is aware of attempts to force lecturers back to work through threats of termination.
“We are aware that some of them are receiving threats that if they do not report for duty, they will be terminated. We are assuring our members that no such thing is going to take place,” he said on Monday.
The lecturers have been on strike since August 20, demanding payment of salary arrears, remittance of statutory and third-party deductions, restoration of medical cover, pension contributions, and resolution of pending loans.
They argue that staff members cannot access financial facilities due to the university’s failure to settle deductions.
UASU leaders, led by chairperson Richard Okero, acting secretary Dr Dan Mukhwana and organising secretary Nyabuta Ojuki, said they will not return to lecture halls until their concerns are met.
“We know our rights,” said Dr Mukhwana, adding that the union had formally written to management and that another meeting had been scheduled.
Ojuki and Okero pointed out that students had already resumed campus life, but learning remained stalled due to the standoff. Student leaders, led by Pauline Jeruto, urged the Ministry of Education to intervene.
“As students, we go to the university to learn and nothing else. Our lecturers have genuine demands which must be addressed,” she said.
According to UASU, the demands under negotiation number 25 and include arrears amounting to more than Sh9 billion, as well as delayed June and July 2025 salaries, unresolved benefits tied to the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, and the implementation of a return-to-work formula signed in November 2024.
UASU branch secretary Dr Wegesa Busolo said the offer given by the university last week fell far short of expectations. Vice-chairperson Linda Khaemba added that lecturers continue to face frustrations over stalled promotions, unpaid pensions and lack of medical cover.
“It is becoming difficult to encourage our students when they can see the challenges we are going through,” she said.
Moi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Kiplagat Kotut has expressed optimism that the impasse can be resolved, saying fresh talks are being organised. Talks held last week, however, collapsed without a deal.
The university, already reeling from a management crisis and financial strain, has been hit by repeated staff strikes, leaving parents and students frustrated as classes remain suspended.
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