Members of the National Assembly Committee on Education have put the Ministry of Education to task on the measures put in place to address the challenges facing Moi University.
Members of the Committee recounted their recent visit to the University where they noted governance issues and the severe financial strain facing the institution.
“The institution remains inoperable, with lecturers and students unable to resume activities,” said MP Rebecca Tonkei.
Moi University operational budget cut
But higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala noted that Moi University’s operational budget had been reviewed to prioritize staff salaries and statutory remittances.
“We met Moi University management and the Council and reviewed their budget. We cut their operational budget from Kshs 2.5 billion to Kshs 1.5 billion. For the first time in 7 years we have given enough funds to pay salaries and make statutory remmitances. There is a Pending Bills Committee that is reviewing and verifying the pending bills,” PS Beatrice Inyangala informed the Committee.
However, lawmakers insisted that poor governance must be addressed to restore order.
“Moi Universty is the only University where not a single first year student has been taught. The issue with Moi University is goes beyond debt. All these efforts will not bear fruits until you deal with governance,” remarked MP Nabii Nabwera.
MPs broker deal to end lecturers’ strike
Meanwhile, the commitee chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, has brokered an agreement in negotiations to end the lecturers’ strike that has disrupted university operations across the country since September this year.
This follows a meeting between the Committee and representives of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), the Inter-Public Universities Council Consultative Forum (IPUCCF), and the Inter-Ministerial Committee.
PS, Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime, his Higher Education counterpart Beatrice Inyangala, as well as Dr. Constantine Wasonga, University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Secretary General and Prof. Fred Simiyu Barasa, Chairperson of the Inter-Public Universities Councils Consultative Forum (IPUCCF) appeared before the Committee on November 20, 2024.
In the meeting, MP Julius Melly, called for goodwill among stakeholders, stressing the urgency of restoring normalcy in universities.
“Students are waiting to graduate and parents have paid fees. Its time for parties to compromise for the sake of our education system,” he said.
How much is Government willing to pay lecturers?
The 2021–2025 CBA, initially valued at Kshs 9.76 billion, has been the sticking issue, with UASU demanding full implementation while the the National Treasury committed Kshs 4.3 billion, citing budgetary constraints.
According to a letter submitted by PS Higher, Beatrice Inyangala, the National Treasury committed to allocating Kshs 4.3 billion to cater for implementation of the 2021-20 CBA in the FY 2024 Supplementary Estimates II.
UASU Secretary General, Dr. Constantine Wasonga confirmed the union’s willingness to accept the initial amount provided the Government commits to a clear payment timeline for the remaining Kshs 5.46 billion over the next two financial years.
“UASU agrees to take Kshs 4.3B immediatly but the Governnnet must agree to pay the balance. In the 2025/26 we will be paid half of Kshs 5.4B and the 2026/27 the remaining half. We must agree on how to negotiate other items on Return to Work Formula,” said UASU SG, Dr. Constantine Wasonga
