Moi University students' progress stalled by cases of missing marks

Moi University School of Business and Economic Finance students during a demonstration in Eldoret  on Nov 15, 2022.  [File, Standard]

Moi University students say frequent strikes have dealt a severe blow to their academic and financial well-being.

As they idled for months during strikes by both teaching and non-teaching staff, students were forced to spend substantial amounts of money on accommodation.

Many say their parents and guardians have been left anxious by the frequent disruptions, which have caused some students pursuing health sciences to stay at the university for as long as nine years.

Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Standard, students identified missing marks as one of the biggest challenges, making the institution one of the most difficult to study in.

Several students expressed doubt that the recent return-to-work formula, which allows studies to resume from tomorrow, would resolve most of the ongoing issues.

“Moi University has debts amounting to Sh8.6 billion, yet this issue was not addressed by the Ministry of Education during the signing of the return-to-work formula. We are unsure whether a lasting solution has been reached. However, we are relieved to return to class,” one student said.

Janet Chemutai, an Information Science student, was expecting to graduate at the last ceremony, but her plans were disrupted.

Chemutai claims she is a victim of the persistent problem of missing marks, which has worsened at Moi University over the past seven years.

Rather than leave the university, Chemutai has resorted to selling vegetables outside the institution while frequently visiting her head of department’s office to check if she will be included in the next graduation ceremony, scheduled for December 19.

“I don’t know whether I am still a student or not. I was supposed to graduate during the last ceremony but have been stuck here for months due to missing marks. I’ve decided to stay around and sell vegetables,” she said.

Chemutai highlighted the many challenges students face at Moi University. “

Troubles worsened towards the end of the 2023–2024 academic year. Most of us were forced to go home, but we can’t graduate because of missing marks. We want this issue resolved quickly so that we can graduate,” she added.

Kevin Okumu, a fourth-year criminology student, has been at Moi University for five months after his planned graduation last year was delayed due to missing marks. While waiting for his marks to be updated, Okumu has been volunteering to teach first- and second-year students.

“I’ve been at the university for five years on a four-year course. I am another victim of missing marks. Lecturers are demoralised and unable to update marks,” said Okumu, who is known as ‘Professor’ because of his volunteer teaching.

“Some students have even died from depression because they feel trapped and ashamed to be students at Moi University. I spend my time teaching my colleagues because it is painful to see them idling on campus,” he added.

Okumu believes the problems at Moi University are internal, yet will require external intervention to resolve.

Vivan Onduko, a second-year Bachelor of Education student, described the difficulty of being at the university for months without attending classes.

“There were no classes in the School of Education, and life has been very difficult. The challenges are destroying the dreams of many students. No one wants to come to this university,” Onduko said.

He explained that while students were initially hopeful that classes would resume earlier in the semester, the prolonged delay has left many disillusioned.

“With the festive season approaching, resumption of learning tomorrow seems like it will be disrupted again,” Onduko added.

Tragically, he shared that two students had drowned during a swimming excursion, a consequence of the prolonged idleness.

“Parents have been spending money on accommodation outside the university, yet learning has not been taking place,” he said.

His fellow student, Dan Omande, an Agribusiness Management student, attempted to transfer to another public university but found the process difficult.

“I have tried to apply for a transfer to another university, but the process is complicated.