Moi University closed indefinitely following lecturers' strike, students' unrest

Moi University lecturers demonstrate in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu county on September 3, 2024. [Peter Ochieng, Standard] 

Learning has been suspended indefinitely in Moi University campuses across the country following a lecturers' strike that has lasted for more than one month and subsequent students’ unrest.

In a memo dated October 3, 2024, the University’s Vice Chancellor Isaac Kosgey announced the immediate closure of the institution. 

Prof Kosgey directed all students in all campuses to vacate the university premises with immediate effect adding that those residing in the university hostels should also leave. 

“The University Senate in a Special meeting held today Thursday 3rd October, 2024 resolved to suspend the teaching and learning activities of the first Semester 2024/2025 Academic Year as a consequence of the industrial action of staff and subsequent student unease,” the VC announced. 

International students have been told to liaise with the Dean of Students for further directions.

“The school re-opening dates will be communicated in due course. The University council and management are working to ensure that university operations resume as soon as possible,” the VC added.  

Students from the Annex School of Law and the College of Health Sciences who were protesting over paralyzed learning activities in the university campuses were on Thursday morning dispersed by anti-riot police officers in Eldoret town.

The police lobbed teargas canisters to disperse the students who had vowed to air their grievances. They claimed that the University management was doing little to address the ongoing lecturers’ strike that was affecting them.

“We cannot be idling in school when our parents have paid school fees. We want value for our money. We are also still protesting against the new university funding model which is affecting the majority of the students who can no longer afford to pay school fees,” said one of the students.

The striking staff have staged incessant demos in Eldoret City demanding payment of delayed salaries, implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), remittance of deducted pension and bank loans among an array of other issues.

When the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) announced an end to their strike on September 26, the Moi University dobs stated that their strike would continue claiming that the University had failed to address their grievances.

The striking employees led by UASU chapter Secretary Busolo Wegesa and KUSU chapter Secretary Mary Chepkwemoi have vowed to continue with their strike until the University management implements all their agreements and all their dues are paid noting that their pension funds that have amounted to more than sh 5 billion over the last four years have not been remitted.

The workers want the university to honor the 2017 and 2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

They are also demanding the disbandment of the university council for being unresponsive to their plight, noting that they have suffered for the last four years without any intervention from the embattled council members.

Chepkwemoi faulted the university for failing to pay the more than 700 casual workers their dues for the last six months despite offering their services.