Moi University to reopen after three-month closure

After three months of no teaching or learning at Moi University, the institution will now reopen after the Ministry of Education and the institution staff reached an agreement to call off the strike.

The decision comes as a relief to thousands of students who have done little to no learning in the September-December semester.

The workers represented by the University and Academic Staff Union penned the agreement to end the strike after negotiations with the Education Cabinet Secretary and Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala.

As part of the agreement reached, the University will get an immediate cash injection of Sh500 million to address staff financial requirements, including bank loans, union dues, pensions, and welfare.

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However, the weighty debt of Sh8.6 billion will be repaid in phases between 2024/25 and 2027/28.

The staff will also get Immediate payment of October 2024 salaries at CBA rates.

The Ministry also committed to pay out the outstanding gratuity arrears to be paid on an ongoing basis.

This will be paid in the following fashion, Sh2.6 billion shall be settled, comprising Sh0.5 billion in cash payments.

The university will also be required to surrender some of its property worth Sh2.1 billion, located in Kitale, Nairobi, and Mombasa, to facilitate payment to the pension scheme in the financial year 2024/2025.

In the following financial year 2025/2026 Sh1.25 billion to pay 2017-2021 CBA salary arrears; and in the financial Year 2026/2027 Sh3billion for payment of unremitted loans and outstanding pension contributions; the final instalment of Sh1.75 billion will be done in the Financial Year 2027/2028.

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The University will resume deductions and remittances for union dues, pensions, loans, and other third-party payments.

The return to work formula also details that staff affected by previous non-remittances will be reimbursed or supported, while the employer will negotiate grace periods and phased repayments with financial institutions.

Regarding promotions and human resource matters, annual staff promotions will follow established criteria and policies, with special attention given to schools such as Law, Engineering, and Nursing. Low- cadre teaching employees, graduate assistants, and tutorial fellows will have their contracts renewed on time, and workloads will be limited during postgraduate studies.

The team also agreed to expunge warnings on select disciplinary cases, noting restraint will be exercised in initiating new disciplinary processes.

The agreement is binding on the Moi University Council, UASU, and its Moi University Chapter and takes effect immediately.