NAIROBI, Kenya – Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has dismissed recent social media rumors alleging that Nairobi’s Jevanjee Gardens has been targeted for land-grabbing.
During his Monday briefing, Mwaura reassured the public that the popular city park remains a public facility with no plans for conversion or commercial takeover, countering claims raised by some politicians, including activist and politician Miguna Miguna.
“Jevanjee is a public park within the CBD, and there is nothing of that sort that is happening,” Mwaura affirmed. Miguna had stirred controversy on social media by questioning how such a takeover could happen without public outcry, adding, “How can Kenya be the only country in the world without safe, serene public green recreational spaces for its residents?”
Mwaura also addressed the financial troubles at Moi University, which has been grappling with severe budgetary constraints.
Although Treasury has pledged Sh2.9 billion to settle some of the university’s immediate obligations, Mwaura noted that Moi University still faces a Sh9 billion deficit in funding needed to restore stability.
Following a month-long strike over salary arrears and unresolved Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), the university resumed operations last week.
Education Committee Chair Julius Melly highlighted that the university’s wage bill has soared to an unsustainable 88% of its total revenue—far above the 35% average for Kenyan institutions.
This issue, coupled with liabilities of Ksh7.9 billion, has left Moi University technically insolvent since 2016.
“The university’s liabilities now exceed its assets,” Melly explained, adding that the institution’s financial decline began in 1991 and worsened as the establishment of over nine other universities strained its resources.
In response, Moi University has requested Sh315 million in monthly support over the next two years and a Sh2.4 billion one-time bailout to clear debt and salary arrears.
To offset some costs, the university plans to raise Sh700 million by selling select assets as part of a broader staff restructuring effort, Melly noted, though he acknowledged that consultations with the Office of the President, the Treasury, and the Ministry of Education concluded that not all of the university’s requests were financially viable.
During his Monday briefing, Mwaura reassured the public that the popular city park remains a public facility with no plans for conversion or commercial takeover, countering claims raised by some politicians, including activist and politician Miguna Miguna.
“Jevanjee is a public park within the CBD, and there is nothing of that sort that is happening,” Mwaura affirmed. Miguna had stirred controversy on social media by questioning how such a takeover could happen without public outcry, adding, “How can Kenya be the only country in the world without safe, serene public green recreational spaces for its residents?”
Mwaura also addressed the financial troubles at Moi University, which has been grappling with severe budgetary constraints.
Although Treasury has pledged Sh2.9 billion to settle some of the university’s immediate obligations, Mwaura noted that Moi University still faces a Sh9 billion deficit in funding needed to restore stability.
Following a month-long strike over salary arrears and unresolved Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), the university resumed operations last week.
Education Committee Chair Julius Melly highlighted that the university’s wage bill has soared to an unsustainable 88% of its total revenue—far above the 35% average for Kenyan institutions.
This issue, coupled with liabilities of Ksh7.9 billion, has left Moi University technically insolvent since 2016.
“The university’s liabilities now exceed its assets,” Melly explained, adding that the institution’s financial decline began in 1991 and worsened as the establishment of over nine other universities strained its resources.
In response, Moi University has requested Sh315 million in monthly support over the next two years and a Sh2.4 billion one-time bailout to clear debt and salary arrears.
To offset some costs, the university plans to raise Sh700 million by selling select assets as part of a broader staff restructuring effort, Melly noted, though he acknowledged that consultations with the Office of the President, the Treasury, and the Ministry of Education concluded that not all of the university’s requests were financially viable.
