Gov't moves to address standoff at Moi University
The entrance to Moi University main campus at Kesses in Uasin Gishu County. The Government has moved to address the standoff at the institution which was indefinitely closed a month ago following students' unrest. Photo/Jeremiah Choge
The Government has moved to address the standoff at Moi University which was indefinitely closed a month ago following students' unrest.
The management of the Kesses-based higher education learning institution in Uasin Gishu County, and Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala announced new reopening dates for the varsity.
Moi University Vice Chancellor Prof Isaac Kosgey said all students will be expected to report back on Friday, November 8, 2024, after a series of consultations with key stakeholders that are currently underway.
According to a memo released by Prof Kosgey, the University Board of Management met with officials from the University and Academic Staff Union (UASU) to take a key consultative approach towards the reopening.
AVDelta News established that the meeting was also attended by the student representatives from the Kenya University Students Union (KUSU).
The meetings set the ground for the return of normalcy in the institution that has been the subject of news, following the unrest that is currently facing it.
The management board of Moi University, the Chairperson of the University Council, the National Secretary General of UASU Constantine Wasonga, and the National Secretary General of KUSU, are set to meet Tuesday (today) to ratify key considerations.
Among the considerations to be ratified include the signing of the return to work formula (RTWF) between the University management and the students' representatives.
PS Inyangala announced that the State Department for Higher Education officials will be at the varsity to witness the reopening of the institution.
''The State Department for Higher Education and Research will be at Moi University on Friday, November 8, 2024, to welcome the students back to the University,’’ PS Inyangala said in a statement to newsrooms.
The university was closed following protests by the students on October 3, 2024.
They expressed frustration over the VC's move to close the institution noting that the decision threatened their right to education.
During the protests, the students called for the immediate resignation of Prof Kosgey whom they accused of poor management of the university, including failing to heed the grievances raised by the school workers.
Consequently, the VC ordered an indefinite closure of the school, after a meeting of the Senate resolved to suspend teaching and learning activities at the institution.
“The University Senate in a Special Meeting held today Thursday, October 3, 2024, resolved to suspend the teaching and learning activities of the 1st Semester 2024/2025 Academic Year as a consequence of the industrial action of staff and subsequent students' unease,” the statement from the VC then read in part.
