Moi University is facing another hurdle in its efforts to resume academic activities. The institution's management has begun suspending academic staff, including leaders of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU). This action has sparked strong resistance from the staff, who are demanding the payment of salaries and loans withheld for two months.
"Moi University has started handing in dismissal letters," confirmed Busolo Wegesa, Chapter Secretary of UASU at Moi University. "As of now, they have already handed the letter to the leadership of all the university staff unions. All the leaders have been given the notice."
A high-ranking KUSU official echoed these sentiments, stating, "We just want them to pay our loans and all the deductions that they have taken from us. They should pay us, then we will come back to work. A salary is our right so you cannot tell us to get back to work just because you paid our salaries. We haven’t been paid for two months.”
The suspensions come despite a directive from Members of Parliament for the university management to engage in dialogue with employees. Instead, the management issued warning letters before the parliamentary committee left the premises on November 6th, escalating to suspension letters for union leaders.
"They are trying to divide and rule. They are giving suspension letters selectively, feeding us fear. We want to tell the management and the government that this has greatly fueled us to work more," said the KUSU official.
Wegesa expressed his belief that the management is deliberately trying to silence their concerns and prevent a resolution. "We believe there is someone who does not want Moi University issues to be discussed so they want to hide them by pushing the employees away," he stated.
The staff accuse the university of using intimidation tactics to force them back to work, arguing that they cannot return until their financial grievances are addressed. "How do workers go to work if they have not been paid salaries for two months? How do workers go to work when their loans are in court and their property is being auctioned?" questioned Wegesa.
The ongoing dispute threatens to further disrupt academic activities, potentially delaying graduation. The university's ERP system, used for generating graduation lists, is reportedly dysfunctional, forcing staff to rely on manual processes.
"Graduation will not take place. Until all our issues are resolved, there will be no graduation system. Moi University uses ERP system to produce the graduation list. That ERP system has long been spoilt and we are currently using manual means and those lecturers who are still on strike are supposed to undertake this role," added Wegesa.
The situation at Moi University remains tense, with staff determined to fight for their rights and demanding a resolution to their financial concerns before resuming their duties.
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