Moi University Troubles Deepen as Staff Decry Salary Delays and Unmet Return-to-Work Agreement.
Moi University continues to grapple with persistent challenges, particularly after staff members, both teaching and non-teaching, accused the management of failing to adhere to a return-to-work agreement made at the end of last year.
The staff’s grievances stem from delayed salary payments, despite President William Ruto’s promise to form a committee to investigate and resolve the institution’s issues.
Salary Delays and Unfulfilled Agreements
Nyabuta Ojuki, the Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) Moi University Chapter Secretary, expressed confusion over the situation, stating that the university was the only one not honoring the return-to-work agreement and the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
He questioned whether the management had received the promised funds, and if so, why the terms of the agreement had not been implemented.
In the agreement, the union had secured Sh7.7 billion under the 2021/2027 CBA, which was to be paid in two phases: Sh4.3 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year and Sh5.2 billion in the 2027/2028 financial year.
Ojuki also pointed out that while other public universities and constituent campuses had paid salaries for December, including arrears for October and November, Moi University had not. He described this as a clear violation of the return-to-work formula.
President Ruto promised to establish a committee to assess the university’s challenges and find viable solutions. He also outlined plans to restructure the university’s management and allocate sufficient resources to stabilize the institution.
During his visit to Uasin Gishu County, Ruto assured the public that with a more efficient management team and adequate resources, Moi University would regain its standing among public universities.
Financial Breakdown and Agreements
Under the return-to-work agreement signed in November, which was witnessed by Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba and Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, the university staff secured Sh2.6 billion in cash and assets.
A significant portion of this—Sh500 million—was released immediately to address the financial needs of the workers.
The management committed to surrendering land in Kitale, Nairobi, and Mombasa, valued at Sh2.1 billion. These assets will be transferred to the pension schemes of both Uasu and the Kenya University Staff Union.
Subsequent financial releases are planned as follows:
- Sh1.25 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year to settle CBA arrears.
- Sh3.3 billion in the 2026/2027 financial year to clear bank loans and pension arrears.
- Sh1.75 billion in the 2027/2028 financial year to resolve any outstanding payments.
Immediate Financial Provisions
A portion of the Sh500 million released was allocated for the following purposes:
- Sh100 million for bank loan offsets
- Sh30 million for benevolent funds
- Sh40 million for welfare
- Sh30 million for the Group Life Insurance Scheme
- Sh50 million for union dues
- Sh100 million for the reimbursement of workers’ bank loan payments
The university is also under scrutiny for several financial irregularities. These include the failure to remit Sh4 billion in payroll deductions, a defaulted Sh3 billion loan owed to Rivatex East Africa Limited, and an outstanding Sh1.1 billion in unpaid bills as of June 2020.
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Contributing Factors to the University’s Struggles
In addition to financial mismanagement, Moi University faces other significant challenges, including declining student enrollment. Enrollment fell from 50,000 students in 2015 to just 27,000 in 2021, and further dropped to around 20,000 in 2023.
The closure of non-viable campuses, reduced government funding due to the implementation of the differentiated unit cost for recurrent capitation, and rising personnel costs due to unfulfilled National Collective Bargaining Agreements have all compounded the financial difficulties at the institution.
Moi University Troubles Deepen as Staff Decry Salary Delays and Unmet Return-to-Work Agreement.
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