Jevanjee Gardens has not been grabbed - Mwaura

Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has dismissed social media reports suggesting that the Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi has been grabbed.

Mwaura asserted that Jevanjee is a public park and there are no plans whatsoever to take it over or change use from its initial purpose.

“This is a public facility within the CBD, and there is nothing of that sort that is happening,” he said Monday during his weekly address to the media.

His remarks stem from comments by a section of politicians led by Miguna Miguna who have alleged that the park has been grabbed.

“How can Jevanjee gardens be grabbed and Kenyans are not on the streets protesting?” he wrote.

“How can Kenya be the only country in the world without safe, serene public green recreational spaces for its residents?”

Mwaura at the same time stated that the government has already resolved the financial issues facing Moi University.

This, as he disclosed that there is still a deficit in the funding needed to fully settle the debts.

“We require Sh9 billion for the university, and there are some shortfalls that we must be honest about,” he said.

Treasury committed to release Sh2.9 billion to the institution towards addressing immediate obligations which include outstanding salaries.

The varsity reopened last week after a closure on October 3 following a month-long strike by more than 4,000 workers over delayed salaries and issues surrounding the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Education committee chair Julius Melly told MPs that recently that the University’s wage bill has ballooned to an unsustainable 88 per cent of its total revenue.

This is in contrast to the 35 per cent standard in other institutions has worsened its financial predicament, leading to the institution's technical insolvency since 2016.

“The University’s liabilities now exceed its assets, with pending bills standing at Ksh 7.9 billion. This is a clear sign of the institution’s struggle to stay afloat,” said Melly.

Melly pointed out the University's operational challenges which began in 1991, exacerbated by the establishment of over nine other universities, which depleted its critical infrastructure, assets, and financial resources.

To avert a complete collapse, Moi University has requested Sh315 million in monthly support for the next two years, along with a one-time bailout of Sh2.4 billion to clear outstanding debt and salary arrears stemming from court rulings on Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

“The University also plans to raise Sh700 million by selling some of its properties as part of a broader strategy to right-size its staff,” he added.

"After consultations with the Office of the President, National Treasury, and Ministry of Education, concluded that the university's financial requests were not fully sustainable," Melly stated