Moi University’s Academic Staff Union (UASU) leaders have been handed dismissal and letters of suspension by the institution’s management just after the school reopened.
Confirming the incident during a press briefing on Tuesday November 12, the Chapter Secretary of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) at Moi University, Busolo Wegesa, said the institution has issued notice to the leadership of all the university staff union.
“Moi University has started handing in dismissal letters. As of now, they have already handed the letter to the leadership of all the university staff unions. All the leaders have been given the notice,” Wegesa stated.
One of the high-ranking Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) official, however, insisted that the staff won’t resume to work despite their salaries being paid. According to her, the salaries are their rights demanding for repayment of their loans.
Further, she boldly stated that the action taken by the management of Moi University aimed to paralyze the strength of the university’s staff union has only ignited their strength to continue advocating for their grievances.
“They are trying to divide and rule. They are giving suspension letters selectively, feeding us fear. We want to tell the management and the government that this has greatly fueled us to work more,” she stated.
Wegesa on the other hand, went ahead saying they already know there is a force behind these intimidations tactics deployed to force workers to go to work, adding that they won’t relent until the workers are paid their salaries for two months and their loans repaid.
This new developments could escalate to stall academic activities in the institution for even longer, with a potential graduation delay on the cards.
“Graduation will not take place. Until all our issues are resolved, there will be no graduation system. Moi University uses ERP system to produce the graduation list. That ERP system has long been spoilt and we are currently using manual means and those lecturers who are still on strike are supposed to undertake this role,” added Wegesa.