Moi University closed as staff strike bites

BY MICHAEL OLLINGA

Moi University has been closed indefinitely after the striking staff failed to come to an agreement with the Vice Chancellors over the payment of their salary increment.

The institution’s senate which convened Wednesday morning came to a consensus of suspending all activities in the university indefinitely until the current stalemate is solved.

Through an internal memo to media houses, the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academics Prof Nathan Ogechi revealed the conclusion of the senate meeting.

“This is to inform you that by the powers conferred by the University Act 2012 and Moi University’s Statutes Article 19 (8) (c) Senate, in a meeting held on 19^th March 2014 suspended academic activities indefinitely,” read the memo.

Students have been advised to vacate the University’s premises with immediate effect with a deadline of 21^st March Friday set.

Prof Ogechi also stated that the University will communicate later on the appropriate date of reopening.

Wednesday evening,  Eldoret town was full of students laden with their suit cases travelling to their homes following the closure.

This comes barely a day after staff in all of the university’s campuses insisted that their strike will continue unabated until their grievances are addressed.

Musalia Edebe, the National Organising Secretary University Academic Staff Union (UASU), stated that the strike is still on until their members are paid in accordance with the agreement.

 “Whether the university announces closure and release of students or not, we know that our strike is on and will not be offering any services to our clients because our VCs have remained rigid with what is rightfully ours,” Edebe told The Standard on Tuesday.