Most students at the Moi University medical school in Eldoret have reported back to college after the union called off a 77-day strike by doctor-lecturers.
They went on strike because the university had withheld Sh200 million in salaries and enhanced clinical allowances approved and released by the Treasury but withheld by the university.
The university has been experiencing devastating financial difficulties.
Student leader Ryan Wandia said they were happy that the university had finally signed an agreement to pay what it owes.
“We are back to class after the lengthy delay because of the strike and we urge this is not repeated so that we complete our training," Wandia said.
The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) on Sunday called off a strike by doctor-lecturers at the medical school after negotiations led by PS for Education Professor Simon Nabukwesi.
“We urge our lecturers be paid what they have been demanding for years so we don't experience another boycott over the same issue," Wandia said on Wednesday.
Some medical students have been at the college for eight years yet the medical course is supposed to take six years. The students blame the long stay at the college to disruptions like the frequent strikes.
Moi University management has said they will sign a recognition agreement with the KMPDU to help restore good relations with doctor-lecturers.The money was withheld by the university, not the medical school.
Vice chancellor Professor Isaac Kosgey said the recognition agreement will help to sort out any issues that may arise between the doctors and the university.
He said the university would also withdraw disciplinary action taken against lecturers who were on strike.
KMPDU secretary general Dr Davji Attela signed a return-to-work formula with VC Kosgey agreed to meet all demands by the medics who had paralysed learning the institution.
“We have managed to resolve all the issues at hand which were largely about the arrears of the doctors which were pending for about eight months. We have signed a return-to-work formula in which all the issues will be resolve in due course, Koskey said.
Dr Atella said the the university was now in the process of clearing all the arrears and sorting out all other issues that resulted from the industrial action.
Immediate payment of the enhanced allowances and delayed salaries for December and January are part of the deal.
Disciplinary action by the university against the doctor-lecturers and KMPDU officials will also be withdrawn and the university will sign a recognition agreement with the union.
“I am happy Moi University medical school is back on its feet and that learning will resume immediately because such disruptions have been costly especially to students and their parents,"Nabukwesi said.
He said the reputation of the university was at stake whenever there are frequent strikes that disrupt all programmes.
“The university's reputation is dependent on how stable it is, how students are retained to complete their courses in time and the standards then achieved.
"But when there are so many disruptions, it causes a lot of disaffection and the reputation of the university is ruined," Nabukwesi said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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