Kenyan University Staff Strikes Again, Calls For New Council
Moi University is in limbo after its staff staged new protests on Friday, November 8, just hours after its Vice Chancellor confirmed the official reopening date.
The University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and Kenya Union of Domestic Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) were seen staging demonstrations to demand the establishment of the new University Council.
Happening now in Moi University! pic.twitter.com/8RxF5HXLEL
— Omwamba 🇰🇪 (@omwambaKE) November 8, 2024
According to the staff, they want the money promised by the government to end up in the right hands, where it can be used properly.
“A large institution like this cannot go down because of the selfishness of individuals. As of November 8, we are expecting a new council,” one of the workers stated.
Tinderet MP Julius Melly, who also serves as the chairman of the National Assembly Education Committee, was one of the education stakeholders present during the strike and reiterated the concerns of the staff, promising changes.
Melly promised the staff that the current management team, led by Professor Isaac Sanga Kosgey, would be disbanded to save the university from collapse.
BREAKING NEWS
— Omwamba 🇰🇪 (@omwambaKE) November 8, 2024
Moi University Strike Continues! pic.twitter.com/f23qRFF4UQ
Melly had come to the university to assess it and resolve the ongoing pay dispute between management and employees, which had halted learning for more than a month.
After assessing the school, the chairman of the Education Committee expressed concern about the University’s overall condition, pointing out that the situation in the lecture halls and the school’s infrastructure were deplorable.
“Together with my committee members, we have walked around the university right away from the farm, and lecture halls among other structures. The entire situation is chaotic,” stated Melly.
MOI UNIVERSITY STALEMATE: Drama as Moi University staff block parliamentary committee from meeting with management in a bid to resolve standoff over pay pic.twitter.com/MRNCOfguiZ
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) November 8, 2024
The workers also accused the university administration of failing to present meaningful proposals on how to settle the massive debts owed to their members.
The employees have revealed that the university owes them more than Ksh10 billion in salary and statutory deduction arrears.
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The students are unsure when they will be able to resume their studies after the workers vowed not to return to work until their dues were paid.
They rejected the university’s proposal to settle the arrears in three phases.
The payment proposal was presented to the National Assembly committee in Nairobi after it summoned university leadership to question them about the situation.
This strike comes after University management announced Monday, November 11, as the official reopening date after students were forced to vacate the campus following a weeks-long strike.
Kenyan University Staff Strikes Again, Calls For New Council
