The High Court has temporarily stopped Moi University from declaring more than 900 employees redundant amid a financial crisis.
Justice Maurine Onyango of the Employment and Labour Relations Court suspended all redundancy letters issued so far, pending the hearing of a case filed by the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU).
“The application will be mentioned on May 28th, 2025, for further directions,” said Justice Onyango.
The case was brought before the court by UASU’s Moi University Chapter, led by Chairman Busolo Wegesa.
The union is seeking to block the university from proceeding with the redundancy process, arguing it defies previous court directives.
UASU claims the redundancy exercise is illegal and flawed, and is asking the court to intervene before any further action is taken.
On Thursday, Moi University sent redundancy letters to over 900 employees, citing financial constraints.
The letters, some signed by acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Loyce Maru, informed affected workers that their roles had been identified for redundancy following a review of the university’s operational and financial needs.
According to the letters, termination of employment would take effect 30 days from the date of issuance.
Employees were also informed that they would receive all terminal benefits as provided under the Employment Act, 2007, and the relevant Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
The layoffs affect 372 members of the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), 380 members of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), and 120 lecturers affiliated with UASU.
UASU has condemned the move, calling it unlawful and unprocedural. Deputy Secretary for the Moi University UASU Chapter, Nyabuta Ojuki, said the university had failed to follow the legal process.
“The redundancies are illegal because the university has not followed laid-down procedures in the law,” he said.
Both KUDHEIHA and KUSU have also indicated plans to challenge the layoffs in court.
Despite the backlash, Moi University maintains that it is acting in line with Section 40 of the Employment Act and relevant CBAs.
The university has promised to pay affected employees through their bank accounts, although no date has been given for the payments.
The redundancy letters also instructed staff to return any university property in their possession by their final working day to ensure smooth clearance.
Moi University is grappling with a financial crisis and is reported to be in debt of more than Sh12 billion.
