Moi University, one of the country’s leading public universities, has terminated the contracts of more than 900 employees, citing severe financial constraints and the need to stabilise its operations.
The Eldoret-based institution, which serves over 30,000 students, notified affected employees through letters signed by Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Loyce Maru.
“Following a 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 letters seen by Business Today state.
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Those affected include 372 members of the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), 380 members of the Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU), and 120 lecturers under the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU).
Their terminations will take effect 30 days from the date of the letters, with employees promised terminal benefits under Kenya’s Employment Act of 2007 and applicable collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).
Unions, however, have slammed the move as “illegal” and “unprocedural”, accusing the university of bypassing mandatory consultation processes. UASU’s deputy secretary for the Moi University chapter, Nyabuta Ojuki, confirmed that the union has already filed a legal challenge to halt the redundancies. “The university has flouted the law,” Ojuki said.
Even so, the university, which is grappling with debts exceeding Ksh10 billion, insists on their compliance with legal requirements, including Section 40 of the Employment Act.
It requested that departing staff return university property by their final working day to facilitate a smooth exit process.
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