ELDORET, Kenya – In a dramatic turn of events, lecturers and other staff at Moi University in Eldoret have resumed their strike action, barely a month after a brief cessation. This ongoing industrial action has once again paralyzed academic activities, leaving students in limbo and the university’s operations in disarray.
The strike, initially launched over delayed salaries, non-remittance of pension deductions, and the failure to implement Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), saw a momentary pause after a deal was struck with the government. However, the resumption of the strike highlights deep-seated issues that have not been adequately addressed, with staff citing the lack of commitment from the university management to settle a significant debt of Ksh.8.6 billion.
Current State of Affairs
This week, the university’s main campus and its satellite locations have seen a return to deserted lecture halls as both teaching and non-teaching staff have taken to the streets, demanding their rights. Over 2,000 lecturers have been at the forefront of this action, joined by other workers from various unions, showcasing a rare unity against what they perceive as mismanagement by the university’s leadership.
The decision to resume the strike comes after the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) at Moi University declared that the management had not provided any tangible commitments to meet their financial demands, despite a national return-to-work agreement being signed. This has led to a significant trust deficit between the staff and the university administration.
Impact on Students
Students at Moi University, particularly those in medical programs, have been voicing their frustrations over the perennial nature of these strikes. With some medical students spending up to nine years at the university without graduating, the situation has become a critical point of discussion on platforms like Citizen TV, where students have expressed their despair and the impact on their academic and professional futures.
The strike has not only delayed exams and academic progress but has also led to public outcry, with students engaging in protests that have occasionally turned violent. The university’s response has included suspensions of union officials and the issuance of ‘hiatus letters’ to staff, further escalating tensions.
Government and Management Response
The government, represented by President William Ruto and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, has promised interventions, but these have yet to materialize into meaningful changes on the ground. The university management, under Vice Chancellor Isaac Kosgey, has been accused of insensitivity and poor governance, with calls for his resignation growing louder among the striking staff.
Parliamentary committees have attempted to mediate, but efforts have been met with resistance from the striking staff, who blocked a recent meeting with management, indicating the depth of their dissatisfaction.
Looking Forward
As the strike enters another phase, the immediate future for Moi University remains uncertain. The institution, once a beacon of academic excellence in Kenya, finds itself at a crossroads, with the need for urgent dialogue and a sustainable resolution to the financial and administrative issues at stake.
The situation at Moi University serves as a stark reminder of the broader challenges facing public institutions in Kenya, where funding shortages, mismanagement, and labor disputes continue to disrupt the education sector.
