Moi University Medical Students Voice Frustrations Over Nine Years of Delays and Perpetual Strikes

 In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Moi University medical students are facing nine years of delays, with some leaving the institution due to repeated strikes and setbacks.

• Despite the frustration, many students still hold onto their dreams, but mental health challenges are mounting as they continue to wait for graduation.

Medical students at Moi University are facing an increasingly uncertain future as they struggle to complete their studies after being at the institution for up to nine years. 

Once filled with ambition, many of the students now find themselves battling frustration, with some losing hope and leaving the university due to repeated strikes and persistent delays.

Some students shared their experiences with Citizen TV, revealing the emotional and mental toll the ongoing situation has taken. 

Lyn Ndegwa, who scored an impressive 83 points from Kerema Girls and was once celebrated as a top student in Nyandarua County, recalls the excitement of joining the university. However, the reality of her extended stay at Moi University has dimmed her initial hopes. 

“I still remember the joy everyone had when I was top in Nyandarua County,” she reflected, “but now, I’m still here, struggling to graduate.”

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Ochieng Francis, another medical student, echoed these sentiments, noting that what was supposed to be a four-year course has now stretched into nine years. 

“We joined here in October 2016, and we are now in our ninth year, having already completed eight,” he said.

The delays have caused many students to reconsider their futures. Some have left the institution after a month-long strike, while others continue to hold out hope. 

"It’s been very tiring and draining in every way. We are physically and mentally exhausted," said Noor Salyani, one of the remaining students. 

Emmanuel Gudu, who dreamed of becoming an ophthalmology neurosurgeon, added, "We came with lofty ambitions. We don’t want to give up on our dreams."

For these students, the daily struggle is not just against the passage of time, but against the erosion of their professional aspirations. 

The inability to practice without completing their degree and internship is a significant setback. 

"The students currently in class were in class four when we joined. When I go back to the village, people think I dropped out or decided to do something else," said Ochieng.

Class Representative Victor Kigen emphasized the emotional toll, saying, "We are bright students who didn’t want to be here. We deserve better. It’s frustrating to stay this long with no resolution."

The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with strikes by the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU), nurses, and staff at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), has further disrupted the students' academic journey. 

Some of the sixth-year medical students have even sought therapy due to the severe mental strain they have been under.

Prof. Tenge, a faculty member, noted the gravity of the situation, mentioning that many students are dealing with intense stress and mental health challenges as they continue to face delays with no clear end in sight.