Moi University administrators have sparked controversy with the University Academic Staff Union (UAUSU) over plans to lay off lecturers due to declining revenues from falling student enrolment.

UASU opposes the redundancy move, claiming it violates the Employment Act, the Constitution, and Commission for Higher Education guidelines. Through lawyer Titus Koceyo, the union demanded that Vice-Chancellor Kiplagat Kotut suspend the April 2 layoff notice until key issues are resolved.

“The intended redundancy is solely occasioned by your failure to comply with the laws and guidelines,” the union said.

The financially troubled university recently appointed Kotut to replace Isaac Kosgey following allegations of poor management and fund misappropriation.

Prof Khaemba Ongeti was also appointed acting deputy vice-chancellor.

Kotut promised consultation with affected employees and union representatives, stating, “Our objective is to explore all possible alternatives to limit the impact of the redundancy”.

He assured compliance with the Employment Act and confirmed affected staff would receive severance pay, salary in lieu of notice, payment for accrued leave, and other owed benefits.

Layoff criteria

However, UASU argues the university hasn’t disclosed the criteria for identifying affected staff as required by the Employment Act, nor followed Public Service Commission guidelines requiring a 70:30 ratio of technical to administrative staff.

The university has been under Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission investigation for alleged financial impropriety involving billions of shillings, including a Sh2.2 billion scandal reportedly involving a private consultancy firm.

The Kesses-based institution attributes its financial difficulties to closed satellite campuses and discontinued courses. For the 2024/2025 academic year, only 6,000 first-year students enrolled against a capacity of 14,000.

The university also said a court directive to implement the 2017-2021 payroll has created salary arrears of about Sh1.2 billion.