High Court Temporarily Blocks Moi University from Sacking Over 900 Staff Amid Financial Crisis
The High Court has issued an interim order suspending Moi University’s plan to lay off more than 900 employees due to financial difficulties.
Justice Maurine Onyango of the Employment and Labour Relations Court halted all redundancy notices issued so far, pending the hearing of a petition filed by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU). The case is scheduled for mention on May 28, 2025.
The legal challenge, brought by UASU’s Moi University Chapter led by Chairman Busolo Wegesa, argues that the redundancy exercise is unlawful and violates previous court orders. The union is demanding the court stop the university from proceeding with the layoffs.
On May 15, Moi University sent redundancy letters to over 900 workers, citing the institution’s strained finances. The affected staff include 372 members of the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), 380 Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) members, and 120 UASU-affiliated lecturers.
The letters, some signed by acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Loyce Maru, indicated termination would take effect 30 days after issuance. Staff were also informed they would receive all terminal benefits as per the Employment Act of 2007 and relevant Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). They were instructed to return university property before their final day of work.
UASU Deputy Secretary Nyabuta Ojuki condemned the layoffs as illegal and procedurally flawed, pointing out that the university failed to follow due legal process. Both KUDHEIHA and KUSU have also vowed to contest the redundancies in court.
Despite the backlash, Moi University insists it is acting within the law under Section 40 of the Employment Act and the applicable CBAs. The university further promised to make payments to affected staff through bank transfers but did not specify the payment timeline.
Moi University is currently grappling with a financial crisis, reportedly owing over Ksh 12 billion.
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High Court Temporarily Blocks Moi University from Sacking Over 900 Staff Amid Financial Crisis