Moi University, which had closed indefinitely since October 3, 2024, due to a month-long strike by over 4,000 staff members protesting delayed salaries and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) issues, is now preparing to reopen.
The university administration has issued a detailed plan for meetings and discussions aimed at resuming normal operations. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac S. Kosgey announced that discussions with the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) started on Saturday, November 2, 2024, and will continue through Wednesday, November 6.
The schedule includes consultative meetings with the unions on November 2 and 4, followed by further negotiations on November 5. The final meeting to sign a Return to Work Formula (RTWF) is set for November 6, with reopening scheduled for November 7 and students expected back by November 8.
The strike had led to student unrest, protests, and suspension of academic activities, with students ordered off campus. Some were hospitalized after clashes with police during demonstrations, and union leaders had previously called for intervention from President William Ruto.
Though the strike was initially called off by union leaders, many staff remained on strike, pressing for a sustainable resolution. Their persistence was evident when hundreds marched to the Uasin Gishu County Assembly to voice their concerns.
