The University Academic Staff Union (UASU) has filed a fresh petition in court seeking to block the mass dismissal of over 890 staff members at Moi University.
While addressing the press moments after filing the petition, UASU Secretary at Moi University, Jeremiah Ojuki, claimed the institution allegedly violated a previous court order which directed both parties to engage in talks and report the progress by May 28 this year.
He accused the university's administration of acting in bad faith, stating that the union had already moved to the Employment and Labour Relations Court to stop the mass layoffs.
According to Ojuki, while the union supported restructuring of the institution's operations, it strongly opposed the unwarranted downsizing of the staff without adhering to the court's previous directive.
"They just decided to issue letters of redundancy to the staff, which you can guess is outside the law. The court gave its direction, but the employer went ahead and acted in disregard of this directive," Ojuki said.
The affected workers, who are part of the 890 individuals fired, included those in the academic and administrative sections, and subordinate members of the institution.
While lamenting the sackings, the affected workers accused the university administration of allegedly ambushing them with the redundancy letters despite the ongoing negotiations as per the court's directive.
"They were telling that that we are in talks to address the matter, yet they had already begun to process the redundancy letters. We were given the letters yesterday evening, so we are shocked because our employer does not follow the law," said one of the affected people.
Details of the mass layoffs emerged on Tuesday, May 14, after a letter signed by Acting Vice Chancellor Kiplagat Kotut ordered staff members to collect their redundancy letters.
Kotut explained that the institution was undertaking a downsizing exercise due to budgetary pressures that had impacted the university's critical departments.
"Following a comprehensive review of our operational needs and long-term sustainability, your position has been identified among those affected by the redundancy process," read part of the letters.
"Please be assured that this decision is not a reflection of your work ethic but rather a necessary response to factors beyond our control," the letters further read.
Redundant staff are to be formally relieved of their duties after the lapse of the 30-day notice and will receive benefits such as notice pay, severance pay and compensation for accumulated leave days.
