Parliament has sounded an alarm over the sustainability of Moi University operations, questioning its mounting debt, controversial staff layoffs, and the viability of its academic programs.
Members of the National Assembly Committee on Education, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, on 17 June, grilled university officials over their handling of a staff downsizing exercise and the institution’s growing financial burden.
“The Committee is deeply concerned about the livelihoods of the affected staff. We want assurance that the legal procedures were followed and that the university is not using redundancy as a shortcut to evade its financial obligations,” said Melly.
Appearing before the committee were Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kiplagat and Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Loice Maru.
The duo defended the layoffs, saying they were a last resort measure after voluntary exits and natural attrition failed to yield savings.
Moi University Staff Layoffs
According to Prof. Kiplagat, the university’s financial challenges were flagged in 2022 by a review from PKF Consulting, which found Moi University’s operations unsustainable without government intervention.
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The university is now operating with a debt load of Ksh 8.8 billion.
“We followed the Employment Act, consulted unions from the outset, and expect to save Ksh 120 million monthly once the process concludes,” said Kiplagat.
The redundancy exercise affected 376 employees, with a severance package amounting to Ksh 167.4 million. Layoff notices were issued on May 13, triggering legal challenges. A court report is expected this week.
Lawmakers, however, questioned the transparency and legality of the downsizing.
“You’ve laid off hundreds of staff, yet the unions say they were not adequately consulted. Was this exercise fair and humane?” asked Nyamira County MP Jerusha Momanyi.
On his part, Kibra MP Peter Orero raised alarm over Ksh 64.9 million in unremitted union dues, with Ksh 31.9 million owed to UASU, Ksh 21.4 million to KUSU, and Ksh 11.5 million to KUDHEIHA. The university acknowledged the arrears but said it resumed remittances in September 2024.
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Viability of Courses
Committee members also raised concerns about the viability of the university’s course offerings and low enrolment at satellite campuses. Moi University currently operates five campuses with 65 undergraduate and 194 postgraduate programs.
“We must reflect on whether the academic programmes offered are aligned with national priorities and student demand,” said Hon. Christine Oduor.
The university plans to shut its Coast Campus due to poor enrolment, a move lawmakers cautioned should be a last resort.
Committee Vice Chair Eve Obara (Kabondo Kasipul) warned that Moi’s debt which includes unpaid staff loans, statutory deductions, and supplier bills, points to deeper governance issues.
The university says it is working with the State Department for Higher Education and the Pending Bills Committee to address its financial woes.
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