Moi University Staff Directed to Collect Redundancy Letters Amid Financial Strain
Moi University has formally begun the process of staff redundancies, directing affected employees to collect their redundancy letters between May 14 and May 23, 2025. This follows a notice issued in April citing severe financial challenges that have crippled the institution’s ability to sustain its current wage bill.
In an internal memo circulated on May 13, the university’s Human Resource Department informed employees whose roles have been rendered redundant that they must collect their official letters in person at designated campus offices. The affected staff span both academic and non-academic departments.
The university, once a beacon of higher education in Kenya, has been grappling with dwindling government capitation, reduced student enrolment, and rising operational costs. In April 2025, the university council announced its intention to restructure operations, which included staff layoffs, as part of a broader strategy to stabilize its finances.
“The university regrets having to make this difficult decision. However, it has become necessary in order to safeguard the long-term sustainability of our institution,” read part of the statement issued by the university council.
Reactions among staff and stakeholders have been mixed, with the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) expressing disappointment over what it termed “a lack of proper engagement and transparency” in the redundancy process. The union has called for immediate dialogue with the Ministry of Education and the university leadership to explore alternative solutions.
As Moi University navigates this critical transition, education sector analysts warn that unless systemic funding issues in public universities are addressed, more institutions may follow suit, jeopardizing Kenya’s higher education future.
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