A number of local and international donors have expressed willingness to help raise funds that will be used to clear unpaid allowances for Moi University doctor-lecturers.
The offer is meant to help bring to an end an ongoing industrial action that has paralyzed learning at the Moi University College of Health Sciences.
University’s doctor-lecturers have been on strike demanding full payment of Ksh200 million enhanced clinical allowances awarded to them courtesy of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
They have been accusing the university management of squandering the money.
But as the effects of the strike continue to be felt, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Union (KMPDU) officials say there are a number of donors ready to raise the funds and clear the money.
However, they accuse management of putting up a not interested face.
“We have had sponsors – people of goodwill who want to clear the money but the university has resorted to rhetoric based on intimidatory tactics,” noted KMPDU North Rift chairperson Dr. Darwin Ambuka.
“We are aware the money sponsors have given has to be ring-fenced,” he added.
Each of the Moi University doctor-lecturers is demanding at least Ksh1.5 million.
According to the KMPDU National chairman Dr. Davji Attella, the sponsors willing to solve the stalemate are the ones the lecturers have been working with.
“These are doctors who also work as lecturers and those funds are because of their work. Unfortunately, the university doesn’t want to engage the union but has resorted to intimidations,” said Dr. Atellah.
He says the Moi University doctor-lecturers are part of professionals doing research and by them being out, the impact is on donor-supported programs.
Oversees students, postgraduate and undergraduate students as well as the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MRTH) where some of the head departments and offer consultancy have been affected by the strike.
“Moi University is not cooperating up to this point, even with donors ready to help,” noted the KMPDU boss.
But even as the doctor-lecturers vow to continue with their strike, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel following donors’ willingness to help end the industrial action.
