MPs want Moi University placed under caretaker leadership as financial woes persist
By Lucy Mumbi |
Committee Chair Julius Melly, joined by fellow lawmakers, addressed striking staff at the university, assuring them of swift action to address the university's issues.
The National Assembly Education Committee has recommended disbanding Moi University's current management team and placing the institution under caretaker leadership to address persistent administrative and financial challenges.
The call follows protests by university staff on Friday over unpaid salary arrears.
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Committee Chair Julius Melly, joined by fellow lawmakers, addressed striking staff at the university, assuring them of swift action to address the university's issues.
Melly, Tinderet MP, criticised the administration under Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Sanga Kosgey, vowing to remove the team to save the institution from collapse.
“Together with my committee members, we have walked around the university, from the farm to lecture halls and other facilities. The entire situation is chaotic,” he said, highlighting the university’s poor infrastructure and operational state.
The Education Committee’s visit aimed to mediate the standoff between the university administration and employees over salary disputes that have crippled learning.
Members of the University Academic Staff Union (Uasu), the Kenya University Staff Union (Kusu), and the Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels Educational Institutions Hospitals and Allied Workers (Kudheiha) have criticised the administration for not presenting clear plans to settle substantial outstanding debts owed to them.
According to union representatives, the university has accumulated more than Sh10 billion in unpaid salaries and statutory deductions, a burden that employees demand be addressed immediately.
Workers recently dismissed a phased payment proposal from the university, stating they would not return to work until a feasible agreement is reached.
The university was closed on October 3, 2024, due to student unrest triggered by a staff strike over poor working conditions. Kosgey had directed all students to vacate the campus immediately following the closure.
“The University Senate, in a special meeting held on Thursday, October 3, 2024, resolved to suspend teaching and learning activities for the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year due to the industrial action by staff and subsequent student unrest,” read the notice.
The university also directed international students to liaise with the Dean of Students for further instructions, with reopening dates to be communicated later.
The strike by lecturers and non-teaching staff began over delayed salary payments and the failure to implement a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Workers also staged protests in Eldoret City, accusing the university management of exploiting them through third-party deductions that did not reflect in their payslips.
In a bid to restore operations, Prof. Kosgey announced plans to reopen the university on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, detailing a matrix to settle arrear.
However, union officials dismissed the proposal, asserting that no formal deal has been reached, and pledged to continue the strike until a solution is found.
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