Moi University Cracks Down on Striking Staff With Suspension Letters.
The management of Moi University has suspended several striking employees, including union representatives, citing alleged intimidation tactics and threats.
The dispute, which remains unresolved, has led to a division among workers, with some resuming work after the university’s management issued warnings of disciplinary action.
Following a court order obtained last week, the university prohibited union members from participating in the ongoing strike.
Some workers, particularly casual employees, resumed work, fearing termination despite the lack of an agreed return-to-work formula as the university reopened on Monday.
Suspensions and Show Cause Notices
On Tuesday, the university’s financial crisis took a new turn when management issued suspension and show cause letters to certain workers who refused to resume duties.
Suspended staff members were instructed to return all university property in their possession to their departmental heads. Workers receiving show cause letters must present their defense before the university administration next month.
A suspension letter issued by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Planning, and Strategy, Prof. Eng. Kirimi H. Kiriamiti, stated that the affected staff were under investigation for allegedly participating in or inciting an unprotected strike.
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Prof. Kiriamiti’s show cause letter addressed workers’ failure to fulfill teaching responsibilities, reminding them that such actions contravene the employment act governing their conduct.
“It has been decided that you be suspended from the service of Moi University with immediate effect pending investigations into allegation that you were involved in calling for, taking part in, instigating, or inciting staff to continue participating in, an unprotected strike or any other form of industrial action,” stated a suspension letter.
Union Response and Ongoing Demands
Most of the staff targeted by the suspension and show cause letters are members of the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) who resumed the national strike on October 29, demanding full implementation of the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Uasu Chapter Secretary Nyabuta Ojuki expressed that despite management’s threats, union members remain resolute in their decision to strike until a proper return-to-work formula is established.
Uasu Chapter Chairman Wegesa Busolo also affirmed that employees would not resume teaching without a formal agreement with management.
Moi University’s management, in a memo issued last Monday, directed all staff to resume duties or face disciplinary measures.
The memo reiterated that any non-compliance would result in disciplinary action, a stance union leaders criticized as intimidation.
Financial Woes and Worker Concerns
Union leaders argue that the university has not presented a viable solution for clearing salary arrears and statutory deductions, which amount to over Sh10 billion.
Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) Chapter Chairman Bob Odhiambo confirmed that while some workers had returned to their posts under pressure, teaching activities remain halted.
Moi University faces significant financial challenges. Among the issues under investigation are Sh4 billion in unremitted payroll deductions, a default on a Sh3 billion loan from Rivatex East Africa Limited, and Sh1.1 billion in unpaid bills as of June 2020.
Additional financial strain has come from plummeting student enrollment, from 50,000 in 2015 to approximately 20,000 in 2023, closure of non-viable campuses, reduced government funding, and the rising costs linked to National Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), which remain unfunded.
Table: Moi University’s Financial Liabilities
| Financial Issue | Amount (Sh) |
|---|---|
| Unremitted payroll deductions | 4 billion |
| Defaulted loan (Rivatex East Africa Limited) | 3 billion |
| Unpaid bills (as of June 2020) | 1.1 billion |
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The university’s declining enrollment, coupled with reduced state funding due to a differentiated unit cost model and rising personnel costs from CBAs, have compounded the financial strain on the institution.
This turmoil has exacerbated the standoff between management and staff, with no immediate resolution in sight.
Moi University Cracks Down on Striking Staff With Suspension Letters.
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