Kesses Member of Parliament Julius Rutto has criticised Moi University management over plans to rationalise its workforce, saying the institution should explore alternative measures to address its financial challenges instead of laying off employees.
Speaking at Tulwopng’etuny Comprehensive School in Kesses Sub-County, Rutto said it was wrong and immoral for an institution of Moi University’s stature to deny the surrounding community access to spaces for recreation, markets, and social gatherings, as reported by residents.
He said staff rationalisation was not unique to Moi University, noting that other institutions, including Egerton University, had previously addressed financial difficulties through measures such as salary reductions rather than layoffs until their financial situation improved.
“Moi University is not the only university facing financial challenges. Even the University of Nairobi is struggling with more than Sh15 billion in arrears, including pensions and pending bills to suppliers,” he said.
Rutto questioned how much the university expected to save through staff layoffs and whether the savings would significantly address its reported pending bills of about Sh4 billion.
He urged the university management to focus on increasing student enrollment and strengthening income-generating activities to improve its financial status rather than resorting to staff layoffs.
The Kesses legislator also challenged the university management to provide a clear staff establishment showing the number of employees, their distribution and the courses and programmes they support, saying claims that the institution was overstaffed had not been substantiated.
“If there are ghost workers, deal with them and leave the staff at Moi University,” the lawmaker said, maintaining that Moi University, as a pioneer institution of higher learning, should remain vibrant and active.
The remarks come barely two months after the university’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kiplagat Kotut, told the National Assembly Education Committee that the institution was conducting a workload analysis of its employees, including lecturers, before declaring some redundant as part of efforts to remain afloat amid more than a decade of financial challenges.
On August 24, 2026, during a press conference in Eldoret, officials of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU), Moi University Chapter, objected to the management’s decision to declare 75 academic staff members redundant.
By Fredrick Maritim
