Moi University suspends UASU officials as dons' strike intensifies

Moi University has suspended 12 University Academic Staff Union (UASU) officials and barred them from the campus over their involvement in a strike that has disrupted learning for the past two months.

The suspension follows ongoing tensions between the university management and staff unions over unpaid salary-related dues, amounting to more than Sh11 billion.

UASU officials, led by branch secretary Ojuki Nyabuta on Thursday confirmed they had received the suspension letters signed by Moi University Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration, Professor Kirimi Kiriamiti.

The letters also instructed the suspended officials to return all university property in their possession and barred them from entering the campus premises.

"We have received the suspension letters and are blocked from entering the university's main campus," said Nyabuta.

Despite the setback, Nyabuta affirmed the union's resolve, insisting that they will not be shaken and that the strike will continue until they are paid all other salary-related dues.

The union officials, unable to access their offices, held an impromptu meeting outside the university gates.

They vowed to continue the strike until the university addressed their demands, which included outstanding payments related to pensions and bank loans.

The suspended officials say that more than 1,000 other lecturers, who are also on strike, have received "show cause" letters from the administration, which require them to justify their absence from work.

No lecturers in class

The university reopened last week, and students returned to campus, yet classes remain disrupted, with no lecturers available to teach.

A few non-teaching staff have resumed their duties following threats of disciplinary action for continued absenteeism.

However, the core of teaching and academic activities remains paralyzed.

Vice Chancellor Professor Isaac Kosgey issued a circular stating that learning would resume on November 11, 2024.

However, UASU rejected the order, citing the university's unpaid dues and failure to reach a return-to-work agreement.

"Management is not our employer," said Nyabuta. "The law says we are employed by the council, which is the one with the mandate to negotiate with us. We cannot attend illegal meetings with management. We have not met or signed any return-to-work deal, and therefore, our strike remains in place."

The strike has escalated tensions between the university management and staff unions, with lecturers and workers demanding a resolution that addresses their financial grievances.

The debt owed includes over Sh5 billion for workers' pension funds and Sh1.2 billion in outstanding bank loans. The striking lecturers say they are not part of the reopening plan until the university settles these dues.

"We will not go back to class unless all our dues are paid. The management can reopen the university and do what they want, but we are not part of that," Nyabuta said.

Last week, the Parliamentary Education Committee chaired by Nandi Hills MP Julius Melly intervened, holding a crisis meeting at Moi University to address the standoff.

Hundreds of lecturers and workers voiced their frustrations, calling for the removal of the current management led by Vice Chancellor Kosgey.

"We are here to understand the actual situation and look into ways we can help to have the university resume normalcy," Melly told the workers.

Following discussions with UASU, the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and the university administration, Melly indicated that the committee might recommend a change in management if the current team cannot resolve the financial issues.

However, the committee's directive to reach an immediate return-to-work agreement has yet to bear fruit. Union leaders argue that addressing the demands of the striking lecturers is a process that cannot be resolved with a quick fix.

"The strike is a process that requires thorough negotiation and cannot be resolved easily," Nyabuta added.

Despite efforts to mediate, the university has been unable to reach a sustainable solution. Some union officials believe the suspensions and show-cause letters are an attempt to weaken their resolve.

"Union officials started receiving suspension letters last week in a move meant to intimidate us and scuttle our mission, but we will remain strong and unmoved," Nyabuta said.

As the strike extends into its third month, students at Moi University face increasing uncertainty about the resumption of classes and the completion of their academic year.