Uasu officials at Moi University, led by acting secretary Dan Mukhwana, after a meeting in Eldoret/HANDOUTThe lecturers’ strike at Moi University has entered its third week, even as the University's Academic Staff Union agreed to resume fresh talks with the management in a bid to resolve the standoff.
Uasu has claimed the university threatened staff with dismissal if they fail to return to work, but the union insists its members will not be intimidated into abandoning their cause.
Branch chairman Richard Okero, acting secretary Dan Mukhwana and organising secretary Nyabuta Ojuki maintained that the strike would only end if the management honoured their demands.
“If they think threats or intimidation will work, then let them bring it on. There is nothing more severe than the suffering we have already endured. The management must know they are dealing with an elite class who understand their rights,” Mukhwana said on Monday.
He revealed that the union had formally written to the university about their grievances and a meeting had been scheduled.
Although students had already reported back, learning remained paralysed as lecturers continued their push for the implementation of 25 demands contained in their strike notice.
Key among them is the payment of Sh9 billion in salary arrears and statutory deductions, including Sh5 billion owed to the pension scheme.
Pauline Jeruto and other student leaders urged the Ministry of Education to intervene, saying the stalemate has left learners stranded.
“As students we come here to learn and nothing else. Our lecturers have genuine demands which must be addressed. They cannot teach without being paid their dues,” Jeruto said.
Moi University branch secretary, Wegesa Busolo, said the union was demanding more than Sh9 billion in arrears, warning that lecturers who retire may leave without pension benefits.
“The university has failed to remit pension contributions for over ten years and now many of our staff are retiring without any benefits,” he said.
Busolo claimed the management ignored all 25 clauses in the agreement and worsened conditions at the institution.
“Since the new council came in, the first thing they did was declare 120 lecturers redundant.”
The dons downed their tools in protest over delayed June and July salaries, which they insist must be paid at the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement rates. They are also demanding full implementation of the Return-to-Work Formula signed with the university council on November 30, 2024.
The university, which has more than 1,000 Uasu members, has also been reported to have diverted Sh500 million released last year to address staff welfare into loan repayments, leaving employees without pensions, medical cover, or promotions.
Union vice chair Linda Khaemba said the university had consistently violated agreements with its workers, forcing them into cycles of strikes.
“We wonder what image we are giving to young people who see their lecturers suffering without dignity. How do we inspire them to work hard when they can see our plight?” she posed.
Khaemba reiterated that lecturers would not return to class until their demands were met.
Vice Chancellor Prof Kiplagat Kotut has indicated that the management is making renewed efforts to restart negotiations with Uasu.
However, talks collapsed last week after the union rejected the university’s offer, describing it as inadequate.
Despite the stalemate, Kotut expressed hope that the impasse would soon be resolved.
