UASU Slaps Moi University with Demands Over Dismissal of 900 Staff

The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) have today fought back against Moi University’s decision to dismiss 900 staff members.

The unions argue that the process is flawed and are now demanding their reinstatement.

In a move to cut costs due to financial challenges, Moi University decided to reduce its number of staff while promising the affected members terminal benefits.

Led by UASU Secretary-General Constatine Wasonga and KUSU Secretary-General Charles Mukhwaya, the unions have demanded the immediate reinstatement of all 900 employees at Moi University with immediate effect.

Also Read: Moi University Staff Ordered to Collect Termination Letters

The unions also demanded that the university withdraw all dismissal letters issued to the employees to return them to their respective jobs.

“We have professors, senior lecturers, and assistant lecturers being declared redundant while others remain. Students are still here, and we are informed that the number of students has increased. Who will teach them?” Wasonga questioned.

Wasonga pointed out that the criteria used to declare these employees redundant should be explained to everyone as it was not fair in any way.

The unions also complained that some departments were now left without teaching staff in the university while other departments were operating with a very minimal workforce.

Moi University is expecting 13,000 students to join in September, and the firing of staff further jeopardizes their education.

Also Read: Kenya’s Education in Crisis: Why Defunding Examinations is a Grave Mistake

The entire staff of the Economics and Planning of Education department in Moi University have been sent home, yet students remain waiting to be taught.

“Who will teach the learners pursuing mandatory courses in Economics and Planning when most of the faculty have been dismissed? Those remaining do not specialize in these subjects. We will not allow our lecturers to be overworked. We demand that management withdraw the redundancy letters before the situation spirals out of control,” Mr Wasonga warned.

He also mentioned that the only lecturer teaching German at the university had been declared redundant while students are still enrolled.

The university, located in Eldoret, Kenya, has cited a debt of over Ksh12 billion as a primary reason for the layoffs, acting under Section 40 of the Employment Act and relevant Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

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