MPs Endorse Strategy to Turn Around Troubled Moi University

The new Moi University Council has outlined six strategies to restore the confidence of key stakeholders and revive the academic giant. The council appeared before the National Assembly Education Committee to provide an update on their achievements since taking office last year.

The management informed MPs that it is currently working on the rationalisation of staff, the halting of the procurement of unnecessary goods and the auditing of academic staff certificates. The team also informed the Julius Melly-led committee that an audit of the payroll, verification of Sh10 billion of outstanding bills, and addressing the issue of casual labourers are part of the plan.

According to acting vice-chancellor Kiplagat Kotut, the new management has reduced the number of casual labourers from 600 in April last year to 300, while reducing the number of permanent academic staff from 2,000 to 1,765. The reduction has saved Sh11 million from the payroll.

Prof Kotut said that 81 percent of their income currently goes towards paying salaries, which he described as not sustainable. The council is working on transferring some permanent staff to other universities.

There is also an ongoing verification of academic papers for both academic and administrative staff, a move that will lead to rationalisation of staff. The management has frozen procurement to ensure only necessary items are bought.

The council said the turnaround team took office in January last year to salvage the fortunes of the troubled university. Despite the positive strides, historical debts amounting to Sh10 billion are still haunting the institution.

The university needs at least Sh1.9 billion for its recurrent expenditure in the new financial year, with a large percentage going to salaries. It also requires funds for the Return to Work Formula and other stalled projects.

Committee chairman Julius Melly directed the council to itemise all their financial needs including pending bills and present it for consideration. He urged the team to show tangible results.