Moi University is facing a fresh labour dispute after lecturers opposed a plan by the institution to lay off 75 lecturers employed on permanent and pensionable terms.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) has demanded the withdrawal of the redundancy notices and called on the Government to conduct an independent audit of the university’s financial position and staffing requirements.
The union said an independent audit would establish whether staff reduction was necessary or determine alternative measures to address the institution’s financial challenges.
UASU Moi University Chapter Secretary Prof. Robert Oduori and Chairman David Kosgei said some departments were already experiencing shortages of lecturers, a situation they warned could affect teaching, examinations, research and student supervision.
The union also raised concerns about staffing levels at the School of Law and called for a comprehensive review of staffing requirements across all departments before any retrenchment measures are implemented.
“We are talking of a population of well over 20,000, and nobody should tell us that student numbers at Moi University are low. Let us address the issues the way they are supposed to be. Lecturers do not pay themselves a salary,” said Oduori.
UASU has further called for a thorough investigation into the university’s financial management, saying the institution should first explore measures to reduce unnecessary expenditure and improve revenue management.
UASU National Trustee Dr. Jane Michael said the university administration should consider alternatives such as reducing unnecessary expenditure, strengthening financial management and redeploying staff to other roles before dismissing permanent lecturers.
“Why is this redundancy issue being brought to Moi University every now and then? We believe that some people may have vested interests in the university and want to sack lecturers only to replace them with their own people,” said Dr. Michael.
The union has given the university administration a seven-day ultimatum to engage lecturers in consultations, warning that failure to do so could trigger industrial action.
The dispute has also raised concerns among students, who could face disruptions to teaching, examinations, grading and postgraduate supervision if lecturers withdraw their services.
UASU has called on the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour, Commission for University Education and Federation of Kenya Employers to intervene and help resolve the dispute.
The union said it had previously challenged some staff restructuring measures in court and could pursue further legal action if consultations fail to produce a solution.
The dispute comes as Moi University undergoes a comprehensive restructuring process aimed at addressing its financial challenges. The administration now faces pressure to engage the union before the seven-day consultation period expires.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
