Moi University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kiplagat Kotut, has assured stakeholders of efforts to restore stability and guide the institution out of its current financial turmoil, following sharp revenue drops and a contentious redundancy move affecting nearly 900 staff members.
Speaking at the launch of the second phase of the university’s solar energy project at the main campus in Kesses, Prof. Kotut acknowledged the institution’s economic challenges, citing dwindling student enrolment and strained resources as primary obstacles. Student numbers have dropped from 48,000 in 2015 to just 21,000 currently, significantly slashing tuition income and contributing to salary delays and escalating debt.
“We have identified and recognised the problems. The first thing we are doing is to gain our independence by taking charge of our destiny as an institution. We are not going to wait for anyone to solve our problems because we have the solutions,” he stated.
Prof. Kotut underscored the importance of unity and collaboration in navigating the crisis, noting that forging strategic alliances would be key to reviving the university.
“We want to utilise the power of partnerships so that we can achieve our plans. I know the work ahead is not easy. The process of fixing the problems will be painful at times, but in the end, it will save all of us,” he said, urging cooperation from the university community and surrounding residents.
The university’s recent cost-cutting measures included the termination of 892 staff contracts, a move that has been met with legal opposition. The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Eldoret temporarily halted the layoffs following a petition by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), which challenged the “Right-Sizing Exercise” as abrupt and lacking proper consultation.
The matter is scheduled for hearing on May 28, 2025, to be deliberated further.
In the meantime, both UASU and the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) have condemned the retrenchment process as unjust and lacking transparency, demanding the reinstatement of the affected employees.
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