The High Court in Eldoret has suspended the issuance of redundancy letters to Moi University staff following a petition filed by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU). The ruling, delivered by Lady Justice Maureen Onyango on Thursday, temporarily halts the university’s ongoing retrenchment process that had targeted hundreds of employees.
According to court documents, the suspension will remain in effect pending the hearing and determination of two applications one filed by UASU on April 28, 2025, and another accompanying the main petition. “It is hereby ordered that the letters of redundancy dated 13/5/2025 are hereby suspended,” read part of the court’s directive. Both parties are expected to appear in court for further directions on May 28, 2025.
Moi University had earlier issued redundancy letters to affected staff members citing financial constraints and overstaffing. The decision followed a restructuring process after the university reclaimed staff from satellite campuses that had been granted charters. The influx of personnel back to the main campus reportedly led to operational inefficiencies and budgetary strain.
In a notice to staff, acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration, Planning and Strategy, Prof. Loice Maru, explained that the university was undertaking a “Right-Sizing Exercise” in line with Section 40 of the Employment Act, 2007, and relevant Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). The notice acknowledged that some positions had been affected and assured affected staff of their lawful terminal benefits including severance pay, accrued leave, and notice pay.
Staff were initially instructed to collect redundancy letters between May 14 and May 16, 2025. However, following the court’s ruling, the process has been put on hold.
UASU, in response, urged all affected members to submit their employment history as it mounts a legal challenge to reverse the redundancy move. The union has condemned the exercise, terming it unjust and disruptive to academic programs.
The case is expected to set a precedent for how public universities handle financial strain while balancing staff rights and institutional sustainability.
