MPs flag Moi University for KSh 7m substandard gate, stalled projects
Moi University’s outer gate at the main entrance, built at a reported cost of KSh 7 million, has come under heavy criticism.
Moi University’s outer gate at the main entrance, built at a reported cost of KSh 7 million, has come under heavy criticism.
This is after cracks were allegedly spotted before its completion.
A parliamentary team inspecting the Eldoret-based institution questioned whether the funds allocated for the gate had been mismanaged, citing poor workmanship and inflated costs.
The Public Investments Committee on Governance, led by chairperson Wanami Wamboka, visited the campus to review its facilities.
MPs expressed concern over numerous multimillion-shilling projects that have stalled, leaving the university’s infrastructure incomplete and neglected.
They said the institution has been misallocating resources by starting several projects simultaneously instead of completing priority ones.
It is very clear that the cost of this project was inflated. A simple look at the gate shows substandard work, with cracks already showing even before its completion,” said Bomachoge Chache lawmaker Alfah Miruka.
One of the most prominent projects is the multi-purpose amphitheatre, which remains unfinished, with less than half of the construction done.
Other incomplete facilities include new hostels, the School of Science building, and the Digital Innovation Centre, all of which have stalled at early stages.
The committee members warned that these delays contribute to resource wastage and hurt the university’s image.
“The architectural design seems to have been well thought-out, but what happened to prioritising the most necessary projects first?” Lunga Lunga MP Chiforomodo Mangale questioned.
“The committee notes with concern that the school has many running projects that have all stalled, and we must emphasise the need to channel resources to complete one project before embarking on others since this leads to wastage of public resources,” added Wamboka.
The lawmakers also visited existing hostels, describing their condition as unacceptable. They pointed out missing basic amenities such as light bulbs and fire extinguishers, raising questions about student safety in poorly lit corridors.
Legislators said regular maintenance had been neglected, leaving facilities unfit for habitation. The inspection extended to staff quarters, which were found to be largely abandoned and in dire need of renovation.
“Things like fire extinguishers and light bulbs are basics that need to be part of these hostels. Are the students even safe on these dimly lit corridors?” Wondered Rebecca Tonkei, the Woman representative for Narok county.
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Committee members said the management needs to take urgent steps to make the institution’s facilities functional for students and staff.
Acting Vice Chancellor Kiplagat Kotut acknowledged the problems and appealed for parliamentary support to secure more funding. He assured MPs that the administration is committed to addressing the issues and restoring Moi University’s reputation.
The assessment tour came amid lecturers’ strike at the institution, which has now entered its second week following a call by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Moi University chapter, on Wednesday, August 20.
Lecturers downed their tools over claims that the institution had failed to honour a return-to-work agreement signed in November 2024. UASU chapter secretary Busolo Wegesa said that none of the 25 clauses in the agreement had been implemented.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has since summoned the university management and union leaders to an emergency meeting on Friday, September 5.
The meeting is aimed at discussing the ongoing strike and finding a resolution to the dispute.
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