Moi University Sacks Over 900 Staff Amid Financial Turmoil

Moi University has dismissed more than 900 employees in a sweeping redundancy exercise triggered by severe financial challenges.

The affected staff members, including unionised workers and lecturers, received redundancy letters signed by acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Loyce Maru. The letters state that the terminations will take effect within 30 days.

“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,” one of the letters reads.

The job cuts impact 372 members of the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotel, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), 380 members of the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and 120 lecturers affiliated with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU).

UASU has strongly condemned the decision, labeling it illegal and procedurally flawed. “The redundancies are illegal because the university has not followed laid down procedures in the law,” said Nyabuta Ojuki, Deputy Secretary for the UASU Moi University Chapter.

Both KUDHEIHA and KUSU have also threatened legal action, arguing the university failed to consult them adequately.

Moi University, however, insists that the process complies with Section 40 of the Employment Act, 2007, and relevant Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

The institution has pledged to pay all terminal benefits, though it has not specified when disbursements will be made. Staff have also been instructed to return any university property in their possession by their final working day.

The university is currently battling a debt crisis exceeding Ksh.10 billion, which has forced leadership to undertake drastic cost-cutting measures to ensure its continued operation.

In other news: Kenya Secures Massive Ksh.193.9B Eurobond in High-Stakes Debt Shuffle

Moi University Sacks Over 900 Staff Amid Financial Turmoil