Fresh concerns have emerged following the recent Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) Moi University Branch elections, with some employees claiming the outcome has left a section of the university workforce feeling excluded from union leadership.
The allegations have sparked debate over whether union elections within public universities should better reflect the diversity of the employees they represent.
According to the whistleblower, many staff members from communities outside the local region are disappointed by the outcome of the March elections, arguing that the leadership now largely reflects one community despite the university employing people from across the country.
The elected officials are:
Chairperson: Kirwa Bett
Vice Chairperson: Abraham Koech
Branch Secretary: Mary Chepkwemoi
Deputy Secretary: Thomas Kigen
Treasurer: Andrew Kipchoge
Deputy Treasurer: John Barno
Trustee: Rael Kosgei
Organizing Secretary: Gloria Kimatu
Women Representative: Joan Seurei
According to the complainant, only one of the elected officials is perceived by some staff as coming from outside the dominant local community.
The whistleblower claims this has fuelled concerns among some employees that leadership positions within the union are becoming less representative of the university's diverse workforce.
The complainant further alleges that some employees believe candidates from other communities who were viewed as competitive were not supported because of perceptions about their political affiliations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The concerns come as attention now turns to the upcoming Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) elections, where some employees fear a similar outcome.
Labour unions are expected to represent all members equally regardless of ethnicity, region or political opinion. While union leadership is determined through democratic elections, members are entitled to question whether their institutions reflect inclusivity and broad representation.
The allegations also raise wider questions for the leadership of KUSU and Moi University.
Although union elections are decided by members through voting, some staff are now asking whether enough is being done to encourage inclusive participation and build confidence among employees from all communities.
The complainants say their concern is not about denying anyone the right to contest or win an election.
Instead, they say they fear that growing perceptions of ethnic voting could weaken unity within staff unions and create divisions in workplaces that should bring employees together.
Below is the complaint received.
Greetings, Sir. Kindly hide my identity.
We, as non locals residing in Eldoret, are deeply concerned by the recent KUSU elections at Moi University.
The elected leadership is perceived by many employees to be drawn almost entirely from one community, leaving non locals feeling excluded.
Some staff believe politics ahead of the 2027 General Election influenced voting patterns, and they fear the same could happen during the upcoming UASU elections.
We hope our concerns will be heard because unions should unite workers, not divide them along ethnic lines.