Moi University, closed since October 3, 2024, is finally set to reopen its doors after a month-long strike by over 4,000 workers. Workers went on strike to protest delayed salaries and problems surrounding the Collective Bargaining Agreement, CBA.
Reopening of the University was announced by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac S. Kosgey. “We have released a comprehensive schedule of meetings to ensure a smooth transition back to normal operations,” he said.
The consultative meetings between the university management and the staff unions began on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The two umbrella unions involved in this case are the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union, KUSU. “These meetings are crucial for resolving the outstanding issues,” Kosgey added.
The meetings will go on till Wednesday, November 6. “We aim to finalize discussions before reopening,” the Vice-Chancellor noted.
The series of engagements include high-level discussions among university management, union officials, and governing bodies. Consultative meetings have been scheduled for November 2 and November 4.
Negotiation meetings with the unions are set for Tuesday, November 5. The final negotiation session and the signing of the RTVF will be on Wednesday, November 6.
Students are expected to resume sessions on Friday, November 8, following the official university reopening scheduled for Thursday, November 7.
The prolonged strike action sparked anxiety among the student fraternity. All academic activities were suspended and students ordered to vacate university premises.
The university was shut down amid rising unrest over the piling salary arrears and the failure of the institution’s management to honor the agreement of the CBA. “We had violent protests last month,” a university spokesperson confirmed.
It added: “The administration is committed to addressing the workers’ concerns.” “We are focused on restoring normalcy at Moi University,” Kosgey insisted. The community hopes the university will resume its academic activities.
