The three-month strike at Moi University, which came to an end in November 2024, left deep marks on the institution and its community. It was fueled by the University's failure to address over KSh 10 billion in unpaid dues, including salaries, pensions, and loans owed to its staff.

PHOTO OF MOI UNIVERSITY

The lecturers, primarily represented by the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), argued that this prolonged financial neglect had caused undue hardship for workers, and they vowed not to return to work until their demands were met.

As the strike stretched on, staff members were under immense pressure. UASU Secretary-General Busolo Wekesa shared the union’s frustrations, stating, “We have not received any meaningful negotiations, and management is simply issuing memos and court orders to intimidate us. This strike will continue until our dues are fully settled.” 

His sentiments echoed the deep mistrust between the workers and the university's administration, which had faced growing calls for reform from various quarters, including a Parliamentary Education Committee.

Despite multiple attempts by Vice Chancellor Professor Isaac Kosgey to mediate talks, the staff remained resolute. The University’s management, he stated, “has made efforts to communicate and resolve the issues, but the union has repeatedly refused to engage in constructive discussions.” 

However, UASU’s leadership maintained that the real problem lay with the administration's inability to manage the university's finances effectively. UASU’s branch secretary, Ojuki Nyabuta, bluntly expressed, “We cannot resume work when the institution continues to fail its staff and students. This is not just about money; it is about respect for the workers.”​

The stalemate ultimately triggered parliamentary intervention. Nandi Hills MP Julius Melly, who led the Parliamentary Education Committee’s crisis talks, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, remarking, “The university’s management is in disarray. A change of leadership may be necessary if we are to restore normalcy.”

The situation seemed bleak for students who had returned to campus in November, hoping for a resumption of their studies, only to find that their lecturers remained on strike. In the end, it was a combination of external pressure and a final agreement on the settlement of overdue payments that brought the strike to an end.​