Uasin Gishu: Moi University Welcomes Dialogue With Locals Amid Leadership Wrangles

• Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that residents of Kesses petitioned President William Ruto to replace Moi University Vice-Chancellor Isaac Kosgey
• Members of the Kesses community claimed the management of Moi University was discriminating against them in the workplace
• Masibo Lumala said the demonstrations opened the university's eyes to new ways to address the issues brought up

Dennis Lubanga, a Kenyan journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than 10 years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Uasin Gishu - The management of Moi University has stated that to mend the strained relationship between the institution and the host community over demands for a change in leadership at the institution, communication with the local population is necessary.

The management emphasised the importance of the local community and its support, which is why the University Community Partnership (UCP) is necessary to foster cordial working relationships.

In response to previous protests by community members who claimed the university was discriminating against them in the workplace, Moi University Director of Open and Distance E-Learning Masibo Lumala said the demonstrations opened the university's eyes to new ways to address the issues brought up.

"The university administration is prepared to engage the community in a dialogue that will help in addressing some of the issues that they raised, and we are aware of some of the grievances raised by the local community during recent demonstrations," Lumala stated.

To promote a cordial working connection between the community and the university, Lumala urged the community members to appoint representatives.

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He claimed that to resolve their tense relationship, the university administration had put the appropriate procedures in place.

In his own words, Lumala went on:

"We will make every effort to collaborate with the Kesses community by bringing back initiatives that benefit the neighbourhood."

He said the university management had put in place the necessary mechanisms to address their frosty relationship.

“We will do everything possible to work together with the Kesses community by reviving projects that used to benefit the local community,” said Lumala.

Lumala said most of the grievances raised by the community had already been addressed, while others required a long-term approach.

He said the human resources department had factored in proper measures to ensure fair employment of locals, even as he reminded them that the university was an institution that serves the entire country, hence the need for balance in employment.

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He denied that the university had sold a miller, but he did disclose that preparations were afoot to get the Elimu Mills machine back into operation so that the locals could continue to supply them with maize.

"Plans are in place to bring our Elimu Miller back to life, and we will make a request of the community to provide us with enough maize to run the mill," he stated.

The institution had to reorganise some of its operations due to financial difficulties, but all services will continue as soon as the finances are available, according to other concerns brought up by the residents.

Regarding the matter of employees being placed on CRB's negative listing, he stated that talks between the government and CRB to release the impacted staff are now underway and will be shortly.

The management also denied any responsibility for initiating an apple plant, which the community referred to as a "white elephant project."

According to the university’s College of Health Sciences principal (representing vice chancellor Tengo Kuremu Tenge), the institution will soon greatly benefit from the apple initiative.

According to Tenge, the institution will soon begin harvesting apples that have been planted on 80 acres in the hopes of making a sizable profit.

“We anticipate that apple picking will shortly begin. Before reaping the rewards, let's be patient with the crop,” Tenge stated.

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Water scarcity has been a problem for the project, according to Tengo, but the university is collaborating with other stakeholders to find a solution.

“We are planning to work with other stakeholders to drill water boreholes to address the challenge of water supply to our apples,” added Tenge.

Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that residents of Kesses petitioned President William Ruto to replace Moi University Vice-Chancellor Isaac Kosgey.

Moi University's main campus is in Kesses sub-county, Uasin Gishu county.

The residents accuse the VC and his administration of overlooking the community's interests and want him to be relieved of his responsibilities.