Tension is building at Moi University as lecturers warn that a strike could disrupt the September academic reopening if unresolved salary arrears are not cleared.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The Universities Academic Staff Union says a Ksh1.2 billion government allocation meant to settle arrears from 2017 to 2022 has become the centre of dispute, with allegations that the money was instead used to offset older obligations dating back to 2013 to 2017.

Union leaders, including Secretary General Constantine Wasonga and official Robert Oduori, insist the funds must be accounted for and demand immediate settlement of what they describe as pending obligations amounting to Ksh500 million.

“Now that they have money, they should release the Ksh1.2 billion from the Ksh6 billion and pay the arrears. We do not want industrial action when students return in September. Can all these issues be settled before the students come back in September?” the Secretary General said.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to the union, the university administration has acknowledged the availability of funds.

Kenyans.co.ke further learnt that the lecturers argue that payment priorities have been mismanaged, raising fresh concerns about financial accountability within the institution.

According to the union, the university administration has acknowledged the availability of funds, but lecturers argue that payment priorities have been mismanaged, triggering fresh concerns over financial accountability within the institution.

“Warnings of industrial action are now tied directly to the reopening of universities in September,” Robert said, adding that failure to resolve the matter before students return would leave the union with no option but to down tools.

The dispute comes at a time when pressure is mounting on university management to stabilise operations.

Additionally, to prevent disruption of the academic calendar, staff insist that delayed payments have gone on for years without resolution.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke