KESSES, Kenya – Lecturers and staff at Moi University have reignited their strike, accusing the university of reneging on a return-to-work agreement signed last year.
The agreement reached between university vice-chancellors and unions was supposed to implement a national collective bargaining agreement (CBA) promising enhanced salaries for workers.
This move comes hours after President William Ruto assured a crowd at Kesses, near Moi University, of his commitment to restore normalcy at the institution.
Despite this pledge, the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) issued a joint statement declaring the immediate resumption of their strike, which had been suspended only weeks ago.
“This regrettable action is occasioned by the failure of the employer to adhere to the return-to-work formula signed between both parties,” the unions stated.
Nyabuta Ojuki, UASU secretary at Moi University, highlighted that workers have not received salaries for the past two months, which prompted their decision to strike.
“All other universities have implemented the national CBA and paid salaries after receiving funds from the treasury. But at Moi University, nothing has changed,” Ojuki said.
The university’s silence on the payment of dues has frustrated workers, leading to their tough stance.
“We are wondering why Moi University is the black sheep among all other universities,” Ojuki added.
The unions are also pushing for the settlement of a staggering Ksh. 8.6 billion debt owed to Moi University staff.
This debt includes unremitted pensions, loans, union fees, and other deductions dating back to 2016.
The university’s financial obligations include Ksh. 4.2 billion in unremitted pension, Ksh. 1.2 billion in bank loans, Ksh. 1.2 billion in salary arrears, and Ksh. 85 million in union fees.
The lecturers initially suspended their strike on November 23, 2024, following assurances from the government to implement the 2021-2025 CBA.
However, the university’s failure to meet its commitments has reignited the industrial action, throwing Moi University into further turmoil.
