The Universities' Academic Staff Union (UASU) University of Nairobi Chapter has issued a strongly worded statement expressing full solidarity with lecturers at Moi University following controversial remarks made by Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kiplagat Kotut before the National Assembly, describing the comments as insulting, defamatory and damaging to the academic profession.

In a letter dated July 4, 2026, and addressed to UASU Moi University Chapter Secretary Prof. R. Oduori, the University of Nairobi chapter condemned the Acting Vice-Chancellor's comments made during a parliamentary appearance on July 2, saying they unfairly portrayed lecturers as "parasites living off the work of others."

The statement, signed by UASU University of Nairobi Chapter Secretary Prof. George Osanjo, said the remarks had deeply offended academic staff not only at Moi University but across Kenya's public university sector.

"The Universities' Academic Staff Union (UASU), University of Nairobi Chapter, expresses its full solidarity with UASU Moi University Chapter following the abhorrent remarks made by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Moi University before the Parliament of Kenya," the letter reads.

According to the union, the comments were made "in the full glare of the media" and fell far below the standards of professionalism and decorum expected of a university leader appearing before Parliament.

Defence of Kenyan Lecturers

The University of Nairobi chapter mounted a robust defence of lecturers, arguing that academic staff in Kenya remain among the most overworked and under-resourced professionals despite carrying the responsibility of teaching, supervising research, mentoring students and supporting university administration.

The union maintained that chronic understaffing, rather than a lack of commitment by lecturers, is one of the biggest challenges facing public universities.

It cited findings by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and professional regulatory bodies, saying multiple reports have consistently pointed to severe shortages of qualified academic staff across institutions of higher learning.

According to UASU, these staffing gaps have forced lecturers to shoulder heavier teaching loads, supervise growing numbers of postgraduate students and perform administrative duties under increasingly difficult working conditions.

Medical Schools Highlighted as an Example

The statement singled out staffing challenges in medical schools, saying the situation at Moi University mirrors long-standing concerns experienced at the University of Nairobi.

The chapter noted that shortages in medical training programmes have previously been highlighted by professional regulators, including the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and the Nursing Council of Kenya.

According to the union, the example cited by UASU Moi University regarding understaffing in its medical school illustrates the wider staffing crisis affecting universities across the country.

Timing of the Remarks Questioned

The University of Nairobi chapter also questioned the timing of the Acting Vice-Chancellor's remarks, saying they came at a time when the national union was advocating for increased recruitment of lecturers.

The union pointed out that UASU's National Office had recently urged the Commission for University Education to implement recommendations calling for a threefold increase in academic staff to address the widening gap between lecturer numbers and student enrolment.

It also observed that, around the same period, the Cabinet Secretary for Education had directed the Commission for University Education to undertake quality audits in several public universities, partly due to concerns over lecturer shortages and their impact on teaching standards.

The chapter argued that these developments demonstrated that Kenya's higher education sector suffers from a shortage—not an excess—of academic staff.

Questions Directed at University Leadership

In one of the most pointed sections of the letter, the union challenged university leaders who question lecturers' workloads.

"If, as some Vice-Chancellors unreasonably argue, all university staff are paid for by the students they teach, then the question begs: how many students are taught in the Vice-Chancellor's office?" the statement asked.

The union further argued that before criticizing lecturers for allegedly contributing too little, university administrators should first account for their own academic responsibilities, including teaching, research and student supervision.

The statement also questioned the leadership structure at Moi University, asking why two Vice-Chancellors were serving concurrently and calling for clarity on the academic responsibilities undertaken by both offices.

Leadership and Funding at the Centre of the Crisis

The University of Nairobi chapter argued that Kenya's public universities face systemic challenges that cannot be blamed on lecturers or students.

Quoting and paraphrasing celebrated Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, the union said the problems affecting public universities stem primarily from leadership failures and inadequate government funding.

"To paraphrase Chinua Achebe: The trouble with Kenyan public universities is simply and squarely a failure of leadership and a lack of exchequer funding. There is nothing wrong with the lecturers or students or anything else," the statement said.

According to the union, universities continue to struggle with inadequate financial support, delayed disbursement of funds, growing student populations, ageing infrastructure and shortages of teaching personnel.

The chapter argued that addressing these structural challenges requires meaningful policy reforms, increased investment and stronger institutional leadership rather than criticism of lecturers.

Warning Against Divisive Rhetoric

The University of Nairobi chapter warned that inflammatory remarks directed at lecturers risk undermining morale within institutions already grappling with numerous challenges.

The union said publicly portraying hardworking academic staff in a negative light neither solves institutional problems nor restores public confidence in universities.

"Our own experience suggests that publicly humiliating hardworking lecturers or students through inflammatory medical metaphors has become an unfortunate refuge of university leaders who have run out of answers to the real challenges facing higher education," the statement said.

It added that such rhetoric only serves to demoralize lecturers who remain central to teaching, research, innovation and community service in Kenya's universities.

Solidarity with Moi University Lecturers

The University of Nairobi chapter concluded its statement by reaffirming its unwavering support for UASU Moi University Chapter and the broader academic community at Moi University.

The union pledged to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with its colleagues as they seek to defend the dignity of academic staff and advocate for better working conditions across Kenya's public universities.

The latest statement comes amid growing debate over the state of higher education in Kenya, where universities continue to grapple with financial constraints, staffing shortages, governance concerns and increasing pressure to improve the quality of teaching and research.

The exchange is expected to intensify discussions within the higher education sector, with lecturers' unions maintaining that lasting solutions lie in increased investment, improved governance and constructive engagement between university councils, management, staff and government rather than public confrontations.