The Technical University of Kenya (TUK) launched a physical headcount of its staff amid fears of looming job cuts and a potential countrywide strike.
In an internal memo dated September 8, 2025, the institution issued a revised headcount schedule and directed staff to take the necessary action.
“Please find the revised head count schedule attached for your information and necessary action,” the memo read.
The exercise will run for five days, beginning on Tuesday, September 9, and concluding on Monday, September 15.
This comes after the institution announced plans to lay off at least 559 staff members due to ongoing financial constraints rocking the institution.
At the same time, the Universities’ Academic Staff Union (UASU) issued a seven-day strike notice to all councils of public universities and constituent colleges on September 10. The Union cited the reason for the strike as unresolved disputes over collective bargaining agreements and arrears.
“Therefore, the Universities’ Academic Staff Union (UASU) hereby issues a seven (7) days written strike notice with effect from the date of this letter to all Councils of Public Universities and Constituent Colleges,” read the notice in part.
TUK Head Count Schedule
The University issued a detailed headcount schedule that must be strictly followed.
| Day / Date | Morning And Afternoon Units |
|---|---|
| Day One – Tuesday, 9th September 2025 | Vice Chancellor’s Office • Vice Chancellor’s Office • Corporate Communication • Chief Legal Office • Financial & Accounting Services • Audit and System Evaluation • Procurement and Supply Chain • Security and Emergency Operations |
| Day Two – Thursday, 11th September 2025 | Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FEBE) • Executive Dean, FEBE Office • Department of Architecture, Design and Planning (DADP) • Department of Chemical and Biosystems Engineering (DCBE) • Department of Civil and Resource Engineering (DCRE) • Department of Construction and Property Studies (DCPS) • Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (DEEE) • Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DMAE) • Department of Survey and Spatial Sciences (DSSS)Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology (FSST) • Executive Dean, FSST Office • Department of Business and Management Studies (DBMS) • Department of Creative Arts and Media (DCAM) • Department of Hospitality and Human Ecology (DHHE) • Department of Information Science, Language and Communication Studies (DTLCS) • Department of Liberal Development and International Studies (DLDIS) |
| Day Three – Friday, 12th September 2025 | Deputy Vice Chancellor – Institutional Advancement and Engagement (IAE) • DVC Office • Department of Human Resource Services and Registry (OHRS-R)Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research, Technology and Development (RTD) • DVC Office • Research and Knowledge Management (ReKM) • University Health and Wellness Service (UHWS) • Property and Facilities Management • University Campus Services • Department of Transport & Fleet Management • Directorate of Planning and Development • Directorate of Entrepreneurial University and Resource Mobilization • Directorate of Community Outreach, Linkages and Partnerships • TVET, Strategy and Development • Digital Transformation and Technology Development • Centre for Innovation and Technology Transfer • Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Services |
| Day Four – Monday, 15th September 2025 | Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) • DVC Office • Academic Registrar • Library and Learning Resource Services • School of Graduate and Advanced Studies • Student Support Services • Centre for Open, Distance and Electronic Learning (ODeL) • Academic Quality AssuranceFaculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (FAST) • Executive Dean, FAST Office • Department of Biological and Life Sciences (DBLS) • Department of Computing and Information Technologies (DCIT) • Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences (DCMS) • Department of Health & Biomedical Sciences (DHBS) • Department of Mathematics and Statistics (DMAS) • Department of Physics, Earth and Environmental Sciences (DPEES) |
| Day Five – Tuesday, 16th September 2025 | Hostels • South B Hostels • Upper Hill Hostels |
Also Read: Technical University of Kenya Announces Firing of 559 Employees
Looming Job Losses
A report from the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education, which assessed the university’s operations for the 2024/2025 financial year, revealed that TUK’s staff population stood at 1,619 in July 2024.
In a span of seven months, the staff population at TUK has dropped to 1,452 as of February 2025 due to resignations, retirements, terminations, deaths in service, and the non-renewal of some staff contracts.
Also Read: TUK Clarifies Shutdown Reports After Parliament Declared It Insolvent
“It is important to note the University is currently facing significant financial challenges, which will influence future staffing levels and operational priorities,” read the report in part.
“The current staff population stands at 1452 as of 28th February 2025. The Management proposes rightsizing the staff to 893 by the year 2027/2028.”
TUK stated that in the Financial Year 2025/2026, the management proposes laying off 406 employees at a cost of Ksh 1,119,689,481 (Ksh 1.1B).
Meanwhile, 92 employees will be laid off in the Financial Year 2026/2027 at a cost of Ksh 287,294,223.
In the Financial Year 2027/2028, 80 employees will be laid off at a cost of Ksh 245,365,207.
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Is laying off or dismissal of staff a real solution to the financial crunch in the Universities ? What if this is done and corruption still prevails ??? What about the fact that people are being retrenched and still there is high unemployment rate in the country. Where do you want them to be absorbed??? Is there no any other alternatives to the predicament including salary reductions etc ??? Let’s THINK critically and humanity….