UASU branch officials at Moi University after a meeting in Eldoret on September 1st 2025.The strike by lecturers at Moi University has entered its third week, with negotiations between the University's Academic Staff Union (UASU) and university management yet to yield a breakthrough.
Vice Chancellor Professor Kiplagat Kotut has expressed optimism that the impasse can be resolved, saying fresh negotiations are being planned to address issues raised by the union.
Talks held last week between the two sides, however, ended without an agreement.
UASU officials, led by Chairman Richard Okero, Acting Secretary Dr. Dan Mukhwana and Organising Secretary Nyabuta Ojuki, insist their members will not resume teaching until their demands are met.
“We know our rights,” said Dr. Mukhwana.
He added that the union has written to management and that another meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow [Tuesday]
Ojuki and Okero noted that students had already reported back to campus and said lecturers were ready to resume duties if their concerns were addressed.
Learning has been paralysed at the university as UASU pushes for the implementation of 25 demands, including payment of salary arrears and remittance of statutory and third-party deductions.
The union claims the arrears total over Sh9 billion.
Student leaders, led by Pauline Jeruto, have called on the Ministry of Education to step in and mediate.
“As students, we go to the university to learn and nothing else. Our lecturers have genuine demands which must be addressed,” she said.
UASU branch secretary Dr. Wegesa Busolo said the university’s offer during negotiations was far below expectations.
He noted that delayed June and July 2025 salaries, arrears tied to the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, and a Return-to-Work Formula signed in November 2024 remain unresolved.
Busolo further claimed that lecturers face challenges related to pensions, medical cover, and promotions.
“It is becoming difficult to encourage our students when they can see the challenges we are going through,” added UASU Vice Chairperson Linda Khaemba.
Despite the stalemate, Professor Kotut has maintained that the university is committed to dialogue and believes an agreement can be reached.
