Troubled Moi University has sunk into more woes after the Employment and Labour Relations Court allowed a doctors union to attach its bank accounts for failing to pay them Sh53.5 million in salary arrears.
Justice Hellen Wasilwa directed the National Bank of Kenya (NBK), Eldoret Branch, to withhold the money, pending the determination of the case filed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
The union said the parties signed a return-to-work formula in July and the university agreed to pay the doctor-lecturers the arrears within 60 days after inking the agreement.
The KMPDU said the deal dated February 11, 2022, was signed and approved by Justice Anna Ngibuini Mwaure on July 26, 2024, and the judge granted the union permission to seize the money in case the troubled university does not settle the amount within 60 days.
KMPDU said it was entitled to seize the money as Moi University has failed to comply with the order by paying the doctors Sh53.55 million.
“The application dated November 8, 2024, is allowed in terms of prayer number b,” said the judge as she directed the union to serve Moi University and the Health and Labour ministries with the court documents.
The parties will return to court on November 19 for directions.
“The honourable courts should ensure safeguard to the rule of law. To do so, its orders must be complied with by all parties in matters before courts,” the union said through lawyer Henry Kurauka.
The doctors went on strike, alleging that the university had withheld their salaries and enhanced clinical allowances released by the Treasury.
In the July ruling, Justice Ngibuini said the university did not deny owing the money or signing the deal.
“The court, to be precise, grants prayers sought in the application and orders the petitioner to proceed and institute execution proceedings if the respondent does not settle the decretal sum within 60 days hereof,” she said.
