Learning at Moi University has ground to a halt as the lecturers’ strike stretches into its second week, with the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) refusing to back down until Sh9 billion in arrears is paid in full.
Students, now restless and uncertain of their future, are demanding urgent intervention. Their leader, Pauline Jeruto, accused the government of watching as the university “sinks deeper into financial and management turmoil.”
“Our lecturers have genuine demands. They cannot teach without being paid,” she said, urging Education CS Julius Ogamba to break the deadlock.
Talks between the university, led by VC Kiplagat Kotut, and UASU have so far collapsed. The union accuses management of offering too little and ignoring a return-to-work formula signed last year.
At the heart of the dispute are Sh5 billion in unremitted pension funds, unpaid June and July 2025 salaries, and other benefits tied to the 2021–25 Collective Bargaining Agreement. UASU leaders say staff dignity is at stake, with many retirees left without pensions while current lecturers struggle without pay, medical cover, or promotions.
“The suffering of lecturers is eroding their dignity and setting a poor example for students,” lamented UASU vice chairperson Linda Khaemba, vowing that they will not return to class until their demands are met.
Moi University employs more than 1,000 lecturers, but UASU says over 120 were recently declared redundant, worsening the crisis. They also allege that Sh500 million released last year to ease financial pressure was diverted to pay off loans instead of staff dues.
While VC Kotut remains hopeful of a breakthrough, the standoff reveals deeper cracks in Kenya’s higher education sector. Without urgent action, the paralysis threatens to further damage Moi University’s already fragile reputation.
