Moi University lecturers’ strike hits third week as talks collapse
Vice Chancellor Professor Kiplagat Kotut has expressed confidence that the dispute can be settled, saying new talks are being organised to address the union’s grievances.
Moi University lecturers’ strike has stretched into its third week, with talks between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (UASU) and the institution’s management failing to break the deadlock.
Vice Chancellor Professor Kiplagat Kotut has expressed confidence that the dispute can be settled, saying new talks are being organised to address the union’s grievances. However, negotiations held last week collapsed without any deal.
Union leaders Richard Okero (Chairman), Dr. Dan Mukhwana (Acting Secretary) and Nyabuta Ojuki (Organising Secretary) have vowed that lecturers will not return to class until their demands are addressed.
“We know our rights,” said Dr. Mukhwana on Monday, adding that the union had formally written to management and scheduled another meeting for Tuesday.
Ojuki and Okero said students had already reported back to campus and insisted lecturers were ready to resume duties once their concerns were acted on.
The strike has paralysed learning, with UASU pushing for the settlement of 25 demands, including unpaid salaries and delayed statutory and third-party deductions. According to the union, the arrears now stand at more than Sh9 billion.
Students, led by Pauline Jeruto, have urged the Ministry of Education to intervene. “As students, we go to the university to learn and nothing else. Our lecturers have genuine demands which must be addressed,” she said.
Dr. Wegesa Busolo, UASU branch secretary, said the university’s proposals during last week’s negotiations fell short of expectations. He pointed to unpaid June and July salaries, arrears from the 2021–2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, and a Return-to-Work Formula signed in November 2024 as some of the outstanding issues.
Busolo also cited concerns over pensions, medical cover and delayed promotions. UASU Vice Chairperson Linda Khaemba said the situation was affecting morale among lecturers. “It is becoming difficult to encourage our students when they can see the challenges we are going through,” she noted.
Despite the stalemate, Professor Kotut has insisted that management is committed to dialogue and remains hopeful of reaching a settlement.
