The 2026/2027 academic year at Moi University faces possible disruption after lecturers threatened to resume industrial action over the institution’s failure to implement a return-to-work agreement signed last year.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) is demanding the immediate payment of Ksh 1.25 billion in salary arrears, full accountability for a Ksh 6.2 billion government allocation, and the urgent release of Ksh 500 million to address a deepening pension crisis.
UASU Moi University Chapter Secretary Robert Oduori accused the university management of ignoring the return-to-work formula signed on November 30, 2024, which brought an end to the previous strike.
“We want full disclosure of the monies allocated to Moi University in the supplementary budget, and we also want transparency regarding the implementation of the return-to-work formula,” said Oduori.
The union says the institution’s worsening financial crisis is severely affecting retiring staff members. UASU Chapter Organising Secretary Jeremiah Ojuki also revealed that the university’s outstanding pension debt has risen from Ksh 4.2 billion to approximately Ksh 5.2 billion.
“What this means is that more university workers and academic staff are retiring and going home empty-handed. We are steadily being pushed towards industrial action,” Ojuki warned.
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The lecturers also criticised what they described as serious administrative inefficiencies within the institution. According to Oduori, the university has been paying two parallel management teams for more than a year, with substantive managers reportedly placed on leave while acting officials continue to run the institution.
“For over one year, the university has been paying two sets of managers, with one group sitting idle at home,” he said.
Oduori further claimed that the problem extends beyond the offices of the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellors, alleging that several key administrative positions remain occupied in acting capacities.
“The finance officer is acting, the legal officer is acting, and the registrars are acting. We are not short of manpower, and it does not make sense to pay two people for the same roles,” he added.
The union warned that the previous strike had only been suspended and could resume if the issues raised are not addressed urgently.
“The strikes were only suspended. We may be forced to resume the suspended industrial action if this matter is not addressed within the shortest time possible,” Oduori said.
By Frank Mugwe
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