Education Committee Meets University Union Over Staff Welfare Challenges at Moi University

The National Assembly's Education Committee on Thursday held a high-level consultative meeting with the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) at Moi University.

This is to address pressing concerns affecting staff welfare.

The meeting, held at the University’s main campus in Eldoret, comes in the wake of increasing complaints by academic and non-academic staff over delayed salaries, stalled promotions, understaffing, and poor working conditions.

Led by the Committee Chairperson Julius Melly, MPs sought to gather firsthand insights into the challenges facing university staff, particularly as institutions of higher learning across the country continue to struggle with underfunding and budget cuts.

“We are here to listen, understand, and find sustainable solutions. The welfare of university staff directly affects the quality of education and research in our institutions,” Melly told the gathering, which included Moi University’s top management and union officials.

UASU representatives, led by Moi Chapter Secretary Dr. Joel Wanyonyi, decried the persistent delays in salary disbursements, lack of medical insurance cover, and what they termed as “institutional neglect” that has demoralized staff and compromised productivity.

“The government must prioritize public universities. We can no longer sustain academic excellence when staff are overwhelmed and unpaid for months,” said Dr. Wanyonyi.

In response, the Education Committee pledged to escalate the issues to the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury, promising to push for enhanced budgetary allocations and policy reforms aimed at restoring stability in public universities.

Moi University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kosgey acknowledged the institution’s financial strain, noting that dwindling capitation and ballooning wage bills have limited the university’s capacity to meet its obligations.

The committee is expected to table a report on its findings in Parliament, with recommendations on improving staff welfare and overall university management nationwide.

The visit is part of a broader national assessment tour by the Education Committee to audit the state of tertiary education institutions across the country.