Moi University has dismissed 900 employees in a massive restructuring exercise prompted by severe financial difficulties and declining student enrolment.
In an internal memo issued on Tuesday, Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Kiplagat Kotut confirmed the completion of the redundancy process and instructed staff to collect their letters between Wednesday, May 14, and Friday, May 23.
“The staff right-sizing exercise at Moi University is now complete after extensive consultations with various stakeholders,” said Prof Kotut in the memo.
The move affects both academic and non-teaching personnel, with 389 members of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), 384 from the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (Kudheiha), and 127 lecturers affiliated with the University Academic Staff Union (UASU) being among those affected.
Termination letters were signed by Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Loyce Maru, citing financial unsustainability as the key reason behind the layoffs.
“Following a review of the university’s operational needs and financial sustainability, your position has been identified as one that is affected by the redundancy process,” read the letters in part.
Prof Kotut attributed the move to a reduction in revenue stemming from a decline in student enrolment and a need to align the workforce with the current workload.
The affected employees are entitled to severance pay, salary in lieu of notice, compensation for accrued leave, and any outstanding payments. This follows the earlier termination of 324 contract employees in March, including casual workers in cleaning, security, hostel, and library departments.
Their dismissal letters, signed by Acting DVC for Administration, Planning and Strategy, Khaemba Ongeti, cited the expiry of contracts and a substantial decrease in workload, which had previously necessitated the procurement of additional contracted staff.
Union representatives have contested the exercise, terming it illegal and unprocedural. UASU chapter organising secretary Nyabuta Ojuki stated that the union had already filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the layoffs. KUSU and Kudheiha have also signalled intentions to challenge the university in the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
In January, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba appointed a new five-member council chaired by Prof Noah Midamba, aimed at steering the university back on track. By February, Vice-Chancellor Prof Isaac Sanga Kosgey and all Deputy Vice-Chancellors had been sent on compulsory leave.
Moi University, once a premier institution, has in recent years battled mounting debts and delayed salaries, leading to the current cost-cutting measures.
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