Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migosi Ogamba has ordered for the immediate resumption of learning at Moi University after a long time of fierce standoff between the administration and the academic staff.
This also includes of other members of the staff over payment of salaries, benefits and other staffing issues, which ended up paralyzing learning in one of the famous Universities in Kenya which has produced many prominent figures in the country.
The CS pronouncement came after he and the Principal Secretary Higher Education and Research Dr. Beatrice Inyangala oversaw the signing of the Return-to-Work Formula (RTWF) agreement between Moi University and staff unions, the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU).
He commended the parties involved for their willingness to sit at the table through dialogue to understand each other’s position and predicament to build trust and agree on shared and lasting solutions to the challenges that the University faces.
He indicated that the problems that led the University to such a state have developed over years, they were as a result of poor decisions made by those in positions of responsibility which have now impacted the learning of innocent students and university staff who were not there when those wrong decisions were made.
“As a government could not wait to see and we will not allow Moi university to go down on account of governance or any other interferences, we implore the leadership of this area and all stakeholders as the hands-on deck to ensure that ensure that we are back on track and Moi university is going to be the shining example that was meant to be,” he said.
The CS emphasized that those in governance must make accountable and transparent decisions informed by prudence and the best interest of those they serve, noting that the crisis that they have resolved today is a wake-up call not just for Moi University alone but for all public universities and colleges.
“All this is unacceptable and must not be allowed to recur, let us as leaders hold positions in trust for the present and future of the generations to come,” added the CS.
He noted that higher education officials have to be innovative and position themselves towards sustainability in a future of declining exchequer support.
He reiterated the need for each university to create a competitive hedge for itself, develop relevant niche areas that will make them unique, competitive and attractive, which is the gateway to competitive local and international partnerships.
Additionally, it is also the key to commercialization of research and innovation and to ensuring that universities play their role in solving societal challenges.
Mr. Ogamba affirmed the commitment of the ministry, through the ongoing education reforms, to enhance the regulatory and policy framework of the higher education sector to ensure that the institutions operate effectively and efficiently.
“Where there are leadership and governance challenges, we shall not hesitate to take prompt remedial action starting with Moi University. We shall embrace the whole of government approach to ensure that the return-to-work formula is faithfully implemented in all respects and ensure that all students are well protected,” declared Dr. Ogamba.
“To ensure that all the time lost is recovered the University is under instruction to restructure the academic calendar appropriately to make sure all the areas needed to be covered are covered,” he added.
At the same time, he called on the administration to withdraw all action taken against the university staff due to the industrial action, so that they all report to work immediately to ensure the university activities run smoothly.
UASU Secretary General Dr. Constantine Wasonga affirmed that they had agreed on all terms of references in the RTWF as he urged the university management to honour the agreement to avoid such issues in future so as to enable the university reclaim its lost glory.
“I want to declare that the strike is over, I want to call upon the dons of this university to report to work on Monday, let us work on an accepted programme to cover the lost time. And to the management we have signed an agreement here kindly honour the agreement,” he noted.
Moi University Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kosgei commended the government for helping resolve the stalemate at the institution as he assured the whole public and the university fraternity of a better future of the institution to create conducive work and learning environment; and to work with stakeholders for the betterment of society.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
