Two Moi University students have tragically been reported dead after drowning in an abandoned quarry.
Their bodies were discovered on Monday, November 4, near the university premises.
A fellow student, who spoke to The Kenya Times, confirmed that the bodies were retrieved from the quarry, which is located close to the Oxford apartments.
Preliminary reports indicate that this incident occurred just a day after another student was found dead in the same quarry.
This somber news emerged just hours after the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Kosgey, announced the reopening dates for the institution.
Moi University had been closed indefinitely since October due to an industrial strike by staff and subsequent unrest among students stemming from financial and operational challenges.
Prof. Kosgey instructed students to return to campus on November 8 following consultations with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU).
Additionally, Higher Education and Research Principal Secretary Beatrice Muganda Inyangala revealed that officials from the State Department would visit the university on November 8.
Amid these developments, the National Assembly Education Committee, led by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, informed lawmakers about the severe financial crisis affecting Moi University.
Melly highlighted issues including financial mismanagement, insolvency, and an unsustainable wage bill, noting that the university is urgently seeking financial assistance from the government.
During a session on October 18, 2024, Melly reported that the institution’s wage bill had escalated to a concerning 88% of its total income, stating,
“The university’s liabilities now exceed its assets, with pending bills totaling sh 7.9 billion.
This situation signifies serious financial distress.”
In response to these challenges, the National Treasury allocated sh 609 million to Moi University in October 2024, with an additional sh 500 million anticipated by November 15, 2024.
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