Immediate payment of Ksh500 million and agreement to settle the Ksh8.6 billion owed to three unions at Moi University were among the top issues agreed upon between the government through the Ministry of Education led by Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba Migos and Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) led by Secretary General Dr. Constantine Wasonga yesterday to end the three month long strike that has paralyzed operations at Moi University.
In the agreement signed yesterday at the University an exercise that was led by Ogamba, the government shall ensure the immediate allocation of Ksh500 million to address the financial requirements for the staff of the three (3) Unions that operate at the Moi University and its Campuses.
The three unions are UASU, Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied (KUDHEIHA) Workers.
This amount shall be released to the Moi University Council by the end of January 2025 and shared as follows: Ksh100 million for bank loans, Ksh50 million for union dues, Ksh30 million for benevolent fund, Ksh30 million for group life, Ksh150 million for pension scheme, provident fund and gratuity, Ksh40 million for welfare; and Ksh100 million for addressing specific bank loan issues.
YOU MAY ALSO READ:
Another issue which was a thorn in the flesh of Moi University and which was weighty and which was the payment of the Ksh8.6 billion debt to three unions was agreed to be paid repaid in phases between 2024/25 and 2027/28, which will also see the University losing its prime properties worth Ksh2.1billion located in Kitale, Nairobi, and Mombasa, to facilitate payment to the pension scheme in the financial year 2024/2025.
“To ensure an equitable resolution while balancing the financial sustainability for staff of the three unions that operate at Moi University and its Campuses viz. UASU, KUSU, and KUDHEIHA Workers, the repayment plan for the pending bills accrued by the Moi University Council amounting to Ksh8.6 billion shall be implemented in phased manner,” reads the agreement.
The first phase will be implemented during the Financial Year (FY) 2024/2025 where Ksh2.6 billion shall be settled comprising of Ksh0.5 billion in cash and Ksh2.1 billion through transfer of the earlier mentioned properties, while in the second phase which shall be implemented in the FY 2025/2026 will see the University paying Ksh1.25 billion for the implementation of 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) salary arrears.
In the third phase which shall be in the FY 2026/2027, a total of Ksh3 billion will be paid to the three unions for payment of unremitted loans and outstanding pension contributions, and fourth and final phase which shall be in the FY 2027/2028, the University shall pay a final instalment of Ksh1.75 billion to the three unions.
The University will also resume deductions and remittances for union dues, pensions, loans, and other third-party payments, with the return to work formula also detailing that staff affected by previous non-remittances will be reimbursed or supported, while the employer will negotiate grace periods and phased repayments with financial institutions.
Regarding promotions and human resource matters, annual staff promotions will follow established criteria and policies, with special attention given to schools such as Law, Engineering, and Nursing. Low- cadre teaching employees, graduate assistants, and tutorial fellows will have their contracts renewed on time, and workloads will be limited during postgraduate studies.
By Education News reporter
The writer teaches English and Literature in Gatundu North sub-county.
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
