Staff at Moi University are set for fresh layoffs after the university’s leadership sent out a memo informing them to pick up their redundancy letters over the next week.
In the memo sent out on Wednesday, May 14, staff at the once prestigious institution were informed of their impending departure and urged to pick up letters confirming their layoffs.
“The staff-right-sizing exercise at Moi University has now concluded after extensive consultations with various stakeholders,” the memo informed.
“We request members of Staff to collect their retention or redundancy notification letters between Wednesday, May 14, 2025 and Friday, May 23, 2025,” it further read.
Redundant staff are to be relieved of their duties on a 30-day notice and will receive benefits such as notice pay, severance pay (if any), accumulated leave days and any other dues stipulated in their terms of employment.
Reports indicated that affected staff were in their hundreds, with some media outlets reporting that over 800 staff had been let off.
The memo came after a previous notice had communicated the university’s intention to cut down its staff over financial constraints plaguing the institution.
In the notice, the university warned of the termination of staff at various departments after a review of its operational needs and financial sustainability.
Also, a decline in the number of students, which has led to the university struggling to raise enough revenue to meet financial obligations, contributed to the redundancy plans.
The institution, through Vice Chancellor Kiplagat Kotut, engaged with the affected staff and their union representatives to ensure the transition was made legally.
“Our objective is to explore all possible alternatives to limit the impact of the redundancy, including potential redeployment or alternative roles where possible,” Kotut stated.
“We will ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Employment Act, individual contracts, and the UASU CBA 2012/2013.”
The redundancy comes barely two months after the government announced a Ksh1.8 billion bailout of the troubled university. According to the university council, the institution owes over Ksh12 billion in salary arrears and unremitted pension contributions, among others.
