A Year of Tumult and Crisis
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Moi University, Kenya’s second-oldest public university, has faced an unprecedented year of turmoil, marked by corruption allegations and industrial action that paralyzed operations.
Once a beacon of higher education, the institution is now at the center of a multi-billion-shilling corruption probe and staff strikes, threatening its legacy.
The Rise of Moi University
Established on October 1, 1984, Moi University opened its doors to 83 pioneer students at the Kesses campus near Eldoret.
The university was founded to decentralize higher education from Nairobi and has since grown into an expansive institution with over 50,000 students across various programs.
Over the years, Moi University’s contributions led to the establishment of 10 other public universities across the country, cementing its importance in Kenya’s education landscape.
Challenges Begin: The 2015 Policy Shift
The institution’s financial woes began in 2015 following a government policy to admit all students with a minimum grade of C+ under the government-sponsored program.
This shift reduced the number of privately sponsored students, significantly cutting revenue streams.
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The university’s management revealed a revenue loss of KSh 3.4 billion out of its expected KSh 11 billion annual income.
This shortfall made it impossible to meet statutory financial obligations, including pension contributions and staff salaries.
Governance Issues and Tribalism
The university’s governance came under scrutiny in 2016 when local leaders and residents protested the appointment of Professor Laban Ayiro as Vice-Chancellor, claiming the selection process lacked merit.
These protests further aggravated internal tensions and revealed a tribal undercurrent in the institution’s administration.
Corruption Scandals Emerge
In 2018, Professor Isaac Kosgey assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor amidst a damning audit report highlighting embezzlement of over KSh 1 billion between 2013 and 2016.
The audit uncovered a web of financial mismanagement, including numerous bank accounts used to siphon funds.
Analysts also criticized the decision to open numerous satellite campuses—10 of which became autonomous institutions—as a misallocation of resources that drained the main campus.
Financial Mismanagement and Wasteful Spending
A report by the Auditor-General painted a bleak picture of Moi University’s finances. The university reportedly spent KSh 29.8 million constructing a gate and allocated KSh 600 million to acquire the textile company Rivatex, later upgraded through a KSh 3 billion loan.
Despite efforts to diversify revenue, such as investing in an 80-acre apple farm, Moi University recorded a revenue shortfall of KSh 953 million for the financial year ending June 2023.
Strikes and Student Suffering
The financial crisis culminated in strikes by both academic and non-academic staff. Students bore the brunt of these disruptions, with some, particularly in the School of Medicine, spending up to nine years to complete their studies.
Calls for the resignation of Professor Kosgey grew louder, with alumni and stakeholders accusing him of mismanagement and urging him to step aside for more competent leadership.
A Temporary Truce
Operations at the university resumed on November 30, 2024, after nearly three months of paralysis.
A return-to-work formula brokered by the government included the release of KSh 8.6 billion for salaries and KSh 500 million for loans, pensions, and welfare dues.
While these measures provided temporary relief, they underscored the need for sustainable reforms.
A Call for Reforms in Public Universities
The challenges facing Moi University reflect broader issues plaguing Kenya’s public universities, including mismanagement and compromised education quality.
Stakeholders have called for stringent reforms to restore the dignity and functionality of higher learning institutions.
Without decisive action, Moi University’s plight may foreshadow a deeper crisis in Kenya’s higher education sector.
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