Moi University staff strike over return formula

The Moi University Academic Staff Union has officially launched its industrial action effective today, Wednesday, 20 August 2025, following the lapse of a seven-day strike notice issued to the university management.
The dons have accused the varsity Management of failure to pay their June and July salaries by the 2024-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, as well as the implementation of the return to work formula, agreed by the University Council on 30 November 2024.
Led by the UASU chapter secretary general, Busolo Wegesa, the lecturers have expressed their disappointment towards the Moi University management, citing its persistent failure to address issues regarding delayed salaries, non-remittance of statutory deductions, and neglect in implementing negotiated benefits for academic staff, among other issues.
“Let it be known that we do not enjoy going for industrial actions, but we have to since this seems to be the only way our plights will be heard. We are not demanding something that is not ours,” Busolo stated.
He warned that the downing of tools will paralyse learning at Moi University, hence affecting the academic calendar, even with the expected admission of first-year students as from Thursday, 21 August 2025.
“It is only when the management decides to fulfil its obligations to the academic staff that we will come back. This time round, we will not go back to class without a commitment of the institution to pay its dues.”
Demansd for pay
He further noted that UASU has received no response despite writing to the council many times during their back-to-back strikes last year, citing that all negotiations henceforth will be made out of work.In response, the Acting Vice Chancellor Kiplagat Kotut acknowledged the concerns raised by UASU and stated the management engagement plans with the lecturers to ensure the smooth running of the institution.
He further assured the students and parents of the commencement of first-year students’ admissions on Thursday, 21 August 2025, as was scheduled earlier.
“The University Council Management is already engaging with the UASU leadership, the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure that issues raised are solved through amicable dialogue.”
The Union also demanded that the agreement provisions regarding staff reviews, promotions and retirement ages be followed.