United Democratic Alliance interim Secretary General Hassan Omar has added voice to Moi University’s financial and management woes that have threatened its existence.

Speaking during the UDA North Rift Comrade Chapter in Eldoret on Monday, October 21, 2024, Hassan Omar stated that he obtained his law degree from that institution. He added that Moi University helped him discover and nurture his leadership ambitions.

While appealing to the comrades to remain patient, Hassan Omar indicated that the nominated Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is also an alumnus of the university and that they will not watch as that institution sinks.

He however did not delve much deeper into how the government plans to rescue the university.

“Unajua sasa Deputy President yule anaingia anatoka Moi University. SG was chama anatoka Moi University kwa hivyo Moi University haiwezi kuenda mahali itabakia tu (You all know that the incoming Deputy President studied here at Moi University. The party’s secretary general was also a student here, so in that matter Moi University is not going anywhere). Because I will not a degree have in my office that has no institution” Hassan Omar stated.

In a separate statement, Hassan Omar narrated that the UDA meeting held in Eldoret helped him reminiscence how he joined Moi University and how part of life was brewed in the North Rift region.

“Nostalgically, to me, this was a reconnecting experience with the home of my political career. The engagement reminded me of many years ago when I left Mombasa to Edoret by bus in 1995 not knowing that this would mark my political journey,” Hassan Omar wrote.

“To me, Moi University will always be etched in my mind as the institution where my calling to serve the people of Kenya was born. I took this great moment to urge comrades to get involved with affairs of this country, engage with the leaders in government, and transform their ideas into action for the benefit of their country,” he added.

Moi woes

Moi University was recently closed down indefinitely following a month-long strike by lecturers and other workers over unpaid salaries.

The closure sparked violent protests in the city leaving some students nursing serious injuries. The university is mired in Ksh10 billion debt and alleged mismanagement.

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, MPs engaged in a heated debate in Parliament over the status of the University. They unanimously called on a proper probe into alleged mismanagement and debt issues.

Calls for unity

At the same time, Hassan Omar who took over from former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, capitalised on the forum to push for national unity.

The former Mombasa Senator challenged the youth to shun ethnic politics and embrace issue-based narrative.

“The conversation in this country must shift. We must shift the conversation from ethnicity to issues,” the SG said.