The standoff between Moi University lecturers and the institution’s management has escalated, with academic staff refusing to resume duties until over Ksh9 billion in pending payments are cleared and prior agreements fully honoured by the university.
The strike, which is a week old, has disrupted learning and research activities across the university. Members of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Moi chapter, say talks with the administration have failed to produce a workable resolution.
While addressing the media yesterday, branch secretary Wegesa Busolo said union representatives met with the university’s top officials in Nairobi, but the proposals presented were inadequate. “They called it a consultation, but their offer didn’t come close to addressing our concerns. We’re not backing down,” Busolo stated.
The lecturers demand the settlement of Ksh5 billion in unremitted pension contributions, which the union says have been withheld for years. The remaining arrears include unpaid salaries and other contractual benefits and notably, the delayed June and July 2025 pay under the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Busolo accused the university of not honouring the return-to-work formula signed on November 30, 2024, which outlined 25 clauses meant to guide staff reinstatement and compensation. “They’ve ignored every clause. We won’t entertain empty negotiations while our livelihoods are at stake,” he said.
The union also expressed frustration with the current university leadership, claiming that staff welfare has deteriorated since the new council took office. Busolo cited the abrupt dismissal of 120 lecturers, saying the move deepened mistrust and worsened morale.
“At this university, people work hard and retire into poverty. Pensions haven’t been remitted for over five years. It’s a betrayal,” Busolo stated.
UASU is now calling on the Ministry of Education and other oversight bodies to intervene as they insist that the strike will continue until all their demands are met.
By Masaki Enock
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