The management of Moi University has announced a recovery plan that includes reducing its workforce as the institution struggles with a financial crisis that has lasted for more than 10 years.
Appearing before the National Assembly Education Committee on Thursday, July 2, Acting Vice Chancellor Kiplagat Kotut said the university is carrying out a comprehensive workload assessment to determine staff productivity, with the findings expected to guide planned layoffs aimed at easing the institution’s financial burden.
Kotut said the restructuring forms part of a broader turnaround plan to restore the university’s financial stability.
“We realized some people have actually not been teaching. They have been here doing nothing, parasitizing on others. So, we are saying: if you haven’t been doing anything, why don’t we let you go? But those that have workload, we don’t want to touch you,” he told the committee.
Moi University Seeks Ksh1.9 Billion as Debt Hits Ksh9 Billion
Further, the management asked Parliament for an additional Ksh1.9 billion to support its recurrent expenditure in the 2026/27 financial year, revealing that its pending bills have risen to Ksh9 billion after years of operating deficits.
The Acting Vice Chancellor said the institution’s financial woes date back to 2014 and continue to threaten its operations.
“We request that this Committee consider adding Ksh1.9 billion to support recurrent expenditure for FY 2026/27. Secondly, the issue of pending bills remains a major concern for us, and it currently stands at Ksh9 billion as a result of the university registering a deficit since 2014,” Prof. Kotut told the committee.
The committee, chaired by Julius Melly, summoned the university’s management to provide an update on the implementation of earlier recommendations aimed at addressing financial mismanagement, procurement irregularities, governance concerns and institutional controls.
Also Read: CS Ogamba Orders Audit of Select Courses at UoN and Moi University
Melly said previous audit reports had raised questions over alleged misuse of public funds, including irregularities in construction projects, unpaid bills and other transactions that resulted in significant financial losses.
The committee also sought an update on measures taken by the university’s leadership to restore public confidence and implement reforms expected after the current management took office.
In response, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Research, Extension and Student Affairs, Khaemba Ongeti, said the institution had regained the confidence of students and parents, citing a steady rise in enrolment.
According to the university, student enrolment increased from 5,000 in 2024 to 6,800 in 2025 and is projected to reach 10,000 this year.
The management attributed the growth to efforts to stabilize the academic calendar, ensure students graduate on time, and resolve the long-standing problem of missing examination marks.
Also Read: Kiplagat Kotut: The Science Professor Picked from Embu University to Save Moi university
Layoffs and Management Restructuring
Moi University’s latest restructuring follows a similar staff redundancy exercise in 2025, in which the institution issued redundancy letters to employees as part of a cost-cutting plan to address its deepening financial crisis.
In March 2025, the university dismissed 324 contract staff members in security, cleaning, hostels, and library services.
Later in May 2025, the management issued redundancy notices to 892 employees, including about 120 lecturers.
Moi University has also undergone major leadership changes as part of efforts to stabilize the institution.
In 2025, the university council sent Vice-Chancellor Isaac Sanga Kosgey on an eight-month leave and appointed Kiplagat Kotut as acting vice-chancellor.
At the same time, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Research, Extension and Student Affairs Isaac Njuguna Kimengi was placed on a one-year sabbatical leave, with Khaemba Ongeti taking over in an acting capacity.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Planning and Strategy Kirimi H. Kiriamiti was also sent on a one-year sabbatical leave as the university embarked on a wider management restructuring.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
