Moi University is staring at a major disruption after lecturers issued a strike notice over unpaid salaries and breach of agreements, piling pressure on the already struggling institution.

The Universities Academic Staff Union (Uasu) has declared that teaching staff will down their tools from Wednesday if their grievances are not addressed, warning that learning will be paralysed just as the university prepares to admit first-year students for the 2025–2026 academic year.

“All Uasu members at Moi University shall withdraw their labour and shall not resume duty until the return-to-work formula is fully implemented, the June and July 2025 salaries are paid in full, and the National Collective Bargaining Agreement 2021–2025 is honoured,” said Uasu National Secretary-General Constantine Wasonga in a notice addressed to the university council chairperson, Prof Noah Midamba.

The lecturers accuse the university of failing to respect the return-to-work formula that ended a three-month strike earlier this year.

The deal secured Sh2.6 billion in cash and assets, including an immediate Sh500 million release.

Uasu was also allocated Sh7.7 billion under the 2021–2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement, to be disbursed in two phases of Sh4.3 billion and Sh5.2 billion in the 2025/2026 and 2027/2028 financial years.

“We appeal to academics of all ranks and ages to come out and champion their rights. No single person in any rank can sit comfortably with the situation at hand,” said Ojuki Nyabuta, the union’s chapter Organizing Secretary.

The university has, however, admitted that it is unable to meet its wage bill despite receiving additional support from the National Treasury.

It has already announced plans to send home hundreds of employees in a restructuring drive meant to ease financial pressure.

Acting Vice Chancellor Kiplagat Kotut has acknowledged the difficulties, noting that the institution has become almost entirely dependent on government funding. “Although the restructuring process may be painful, it is aimed at reclaiming the lost glory of the university.

It is regrettable that we are currently totally dependent on the government to manage our operations. The reorganisation will make the university self-sustaining,” he said.

Prof Kotut further revealed that Moi University has suffered a steep drop in student enrolment, from 48,000 in 2015 to 21,000 currently, a decline that has worsened its financial challenges and undermined its ability to pay staff.