UASIN GISHU, Kenya – Lecturers at Moi University have issued a seven-day strike notice, demanding the immediate payment of their February 2025 salaries.
The move, announced by the Universities’ Academic Staff Union (UASU), threatens to paralyze academic activities at one of Kenya’s largest public universities if their grievances are not addressed.
In a letter to the Moi University Council, UASU Secretary General Dr. Constantine Wasonga accused the institution of violating the Employment Act of 2007 and reneging on a Return-to-Work Formula agreement signed on November 30, 2024.
The agreement was meant to resolve previous disputes and restore normalcy to the university’s operations.
“You are categorically and unequivocally informed that all UASU members at Moi University shall withdraw their labor and shall not resume duty until the February 2025 salary is paid in full,” Dr. Wasonga stated in the notice.
The strike is set to begin on Friday, March 28, 2025, unless the university meets the union’s demands within the seven-day window.
This latest development adds to the growing list of challenges facing Moi University, which has been grappling with a management crisis, financial mismanagement, and frequent strikes.
Students and parents have expressed frustration over the recurring disruptions, which have undermined the institution’s academic calendar and reputation.
In January 2025, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba inaugurated a new university council in a bid to restore stability and address the systemic issues plaguing the institution.
The government dissolved the previous council, citing poor management and governance failures that had plunged the university into financial and administrative turmoil.
“The decision to appoint a new council was necessary to restore order and ensure normal learning resumes at Moi University,” Ogamba said during the inauguration.
He expressed confidence that the new team, led by Prof. Noah Midamba as Chairperson, would steer the institution back to its former glory.
The newly appointed council includes Prof. Ronald Wasike, Dr. Mercy Nyambura Kanyara, Dr. Edward Sambili, and Anne Weceke Makori.
However, the lecturers’ strike notice suggests that the new leadership has yet to fully address the underlying issues, particularly the delayed salaries that have left staff disgruntled.
The impending strike raises concerns about the university’s ability to recover from its ongoing crises.
Students, who have already endured prolonged periods of instability, now face the prospect of further disruptions to their education.
Parents, too, are growing increasingly impatient with the institution’s inability to resolve its internal conflicts.
As the seven-day ultimatum ticks down, all eyes are on the Moi University Council to avert another strike and demonstrate its commitment to resolving the institution’s longstanding challenges.
For now, the threat of a shutdown looms large, casting a shadow over the university’s efforts to regain its footing and restore confidence among stakeholders.
