UASU sues Moi University over planned job cuts

The Universities Academic Staff Union has sued Moi University, accusing the institution of breaching its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by proceeding with planned staff retrenchments. (Photo: Moi University)

By Lucy Mumbi
Monday, May 5, 2025

The union argues that the layoffs violate the agreed terms between the union and the university management, accusing the institution of bypassing proper procedures outlined in the agreement.

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has sued Moi University, accusing the institution of breaching its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) by proceeding with planned staff retrenchments.

The union filed the case at the Labour Court in Nairobi, arguing that the layoffs violate the agreed terms between the union and the university management, accusing the institution of bypassing proper procedures outlined in the agreement.

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Moi University management had defended the impending redundancies, explaining that they are a result of reduced revenue due to declining student enrolment and a ballooning wage bill.

In a notice, acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Kiplagat Kotut said, “We hereby give formal notice of an intention to declare redundancy affecting a number of employees who are members of your union. The details of the employees that shall be affected and the proposed timeline for the redundancy process will be communicated to you in due course.”

The Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) has also opposed the retrenchments, with KUSU’s Moi University branch chairman, Bob Odhiambo, noting that the university’s management has other options to address the financial challenges.

“As far as we know, there are other avenues the management can source additional funds to sustain operations without necessarily sacking the workers. In any case, the employees cannot be blamed for the declining student enrolment rate that contributed to the shrinking revenue,” he said.

Decreasing student numbers

Moi University’s student numbers have significantly decreased, dropping from 50,000 in 2015 to 27,000 in 2021, and a projected 4,800 in 2024, far below the university’s capacity of 15,000 students.

Prof. Kotut, however, assured that the university management would engage the affected employees and their union representatives in compliance with both the law and the UASU CBA.

“Our objective is to explore possible alternatives to limit the impact of the redundancy, including potential redeployment or alternative roles where possible,” he added.

The university management has pledged to adhere to the provisions of the Employment Act, individual contracts, and the UASU 2012/2013 CBA in handling the redundancies. Affected employees will be entitled to severance pay, salary in lieu of notice, payment for accrued leave days, and any other unpaid benefits.

“All necessary deductions will be made in accordance with the applicable statutory requirements,” read the notice.

Two months ago, Moi University issued dismissal letters to 324 contract workers due to reduced workload brought on by declining student enrolment. The management attributed the non-renewal of contracts for casual workers to factors such as reduced student numbers, closure of non-viable campuses, reduced exchequer funding and rising personnel costs due to national CBAs that have not been fully funded.

In response to the financial challenges, the Treasury allocated an additional Sh1.8 billion to Moi University to assist with paying staff and covering other recurrent expenses in the current financial year.

The Ministry of Education took steps to address the university’s financial struggles by appointing a new management team last year. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba appointed Prof. Noah Midamba as the new council chairman, following a promise by President William Ruto to form a committee to evaluate the crisis at the university and recommend long-term solutions.