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Rongo University has laid off 137 lecturers and non-teaching staff.

According to the institution’s Vice Chancellor Prof Samuel Gudu, the layoff comes amid a restructuring process at the institution.

He noted that the process is meant to adapt to the harsh economic times as a result of the reduced capitation from the national government.

Gudu says the capitation has stagnated despite the rising production and management costs of the institution.

He noted that those affected were alerted through letters issued on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.

The decision has elicited mixed reactions from stakeholders who addressed concerns over the decision’s impact on those affected.

Others, however, lauded the move, noting that it was needed to enhance the institution’s long-term sustainability.

Rongo’s restructuring comes amid guidelines set for universities to countercheck operations so as to ensure the long-term sustainability of the institutions.

This was after the Ministry of Education led by Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu announced that the state would cease funding public universities.

“In Kenya, education takes about 25.9 per cent and we have to find other ways of creating and generating revenues for universities and they have to look at other revenues,” he said.

“I’m going to move around each and every university in Kenya because a number is faced with financial problems and we are encouraging that they must generate their own income because the exchequer as it is now is not going to continue funding more.”