Security has been tightened at Moi University’s main campus as the Parliamentary Committee on Education meets to address the ongoing crisis at the institution. The committee, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, convened a high-stakes crisis meeting to attempt to resolve the month-long stand-off between the university’s management, lecturers, and staff. The institution has been embroiled in a bitter dispute, with workers demanding the removal of the current administration over unresolved financial issues.
The workers, including lecturers and support staff, have confronted the MPs, voicing their frustration over unpaid dues, which they say total more than Sh10 billion. The money includes Sh5 billion owed for pension contributions and Sh1.2 billion in unpaid bank loans. The workers, through their unions UASU (University Academic Staff Union) and KUSU (Kenya Universities Staff Union), have made it clear that they will not return to work unless they are compensated for their dues, effectively stalling any efforts to resume normal academic activities.
In a bid to address the crisis, Vice Chancellor Isaac Kosgey had announced that Moi University would reopen, with lessons slated to resume on Monday. However, the announcement has failed to quell the tensions on campus. Lecturers and other employees remain firm in their stance, reiterating that they will not resume work unless their financial grievances are addressed. This ongoing impasse has left students in limbo, with some reporting back to campus in uncertainty over the status of their education.
Chairman Julius Melly, addressing the workers briefly before heading into the meeting, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “We are here to understand the actual situation and explore ways to help restore normalcy,” Melly said. He further indicated that the university’s management might need to undergo a change in order to resolve the issues at hand. This suggestion has added fuel to the fire, with workers and some MPs calling for a leadership overhaul to bring the university back on track.
Security at the university’s administration block has been heightened as tensions continue to rise. The crisis meeting brings together university management and union representatives, who are all part of the negotiations to resolve the dispute. MPs are working to mediate between the opposing parties, while also taking into consideration the long-term health of the institution. The workers, however, have remained defiant, stressing that they will not accept the reopening of the university without resolution to their outstanding payments.
The stalemate has put Moi University, one of Kenya’s largest public institutions, in a precarious situation. The university has not been operational for over a month, affecting thousands of students and staff alike. The ongoing strike has disrupted academic schedules, forcing many students to miss crucial coursework. In the midst of this, some students have begun returning to campus, hoping for a resolution that will allow them to continue their studies, but uncertainty looms over the institution’s ability to function properly.
The financial demands of the workers, totaling over Sh10 billion, have placed enormous strain on the university’s already precarious financial situation. As the crisis drags on, calls for a change of leadership grow louder, with some arguing that the current management is incapable of handling the institution’s financial troubles. Whether this will lead to a change in the administration or a compromise that satisfies all parties involved remains to be seen.
For now, all eyes are on the outcome of the ongoing crisis meeting. MPs are under pressure to broker a deal that will not only address the workers’ demands but also pave the way for the resumption of normal university operations. If a resolution is not reached soon, the academic future of many students hangs in the balance, with potential long-term impacts on the institution’s reputation and stability.
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