Moi University staff under the umbrella of Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) and Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) have called on President William Ruto to intervene and address the issue of failed statutory remittances by the institution to their banks for seven years now.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, led by Richard Okero from UASU and KUSU's secretary Mary Chepkwemoi. the workers urged the president to address their issues urgently when he visits the town set to be elevated into Kenya's fifth city.
Among other grievances, the workers decried failure of Moi University’s management to remit statutory deductions to cover loans they took from mainstream lenders.
The situation has led to some financial institutions to sue the institution's staff who took loans and later defaulted. They say banks are treating them with contempt and are not willing to hear their plight despite being employees of Moi University.
As a result, the staff are finding it difficult to service the loans, a situation that has resulted to their property being auctioned.
“It is not really fair. For 7 years, our bank loans have not been serviced,” the workers lamented adding that some of their colleagues have not been paid 8 months yet they are expected to continue working.
The staff who staged a demonstration threatened to down their tools should their issues go unresolved.
The staff further pointed out that delayed payments and failed remittances have grown bigger. “Instead of Moi University getting better, the situation has worsened. We ask the President to come to Moi,” they added.
“As workers of Moi University, we voted for you 99.9 percent whole heartedly hoping you will salvage Moi University.”
While they welcomed the elevation of Eldoret into a city status, an exercise slated for Thursday, they questioned the need to have a city without a vibrant university.
“Eldoret is not a city without Moi University. Moi University is the pride of Eldoret, Moi University is everything to Eldoret,” they asserted.
They, therefore, urged the President to look into the management of Moi University. “President Ruto, come and save Moi University. If it is changing the management and council, change.”
It waits to be seen what the President
