Moi University has laid off over 900 employees under a sweeping redundancy plan, citing severe financial constraints that have crippled its operations. The affected employees, all unionisable members of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), received redundancy letters notifying them of the termination of their services.
The letters, signed by acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Loyce Maru, indicate that the decision follows a review of the university’s operational and financial sustainability. “Following review of the university’s operational needs and financial sustainability, your position has been identified as one of those affected by the redundancy process,” the notice reads. The termination takes effect 30 days from the date of the letters’ issuance.
Of those affected, 372 are KUDHEIHA members, 380 are from KUSU, and 120 are UASU-affiliated lecturers.
Moi University, which is currently grappling with a debt burden of over Sh10 billion, stated that it has complied with Section 40 of the Employment Act of 2007 and relevant Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) in executing the redundancy.
However, the move has sparked fierce resistance from the workers’ unions. UASU, through its Deputy Secretary for the Moi University Chapter Nyabuta Ojuki, has dismissed the process as illegal and unprocedural. “The redundancies are illegal because the university has not followed laid down procedures in the law,” Ojuki said, adding that the union has already taken legal action to challenge the decision.
KUSU and KUDHEIHA have also indicated their intention to move to court to stop the mass lay-offs.
Although the university has pledged to pay all terminal dues to the affected employees in accordance with the law, it has not provided a specific timeline for the disbursement. Additionally, the staff have been asked to return any university property in their possession by their final working day to ensure a smooth clearance process.
The development marks a major setback for the institution, which has been struggling to stay afloat financially in recent years.
