Moi University is facing another potential disruption after lecturers threatened industrial action over management's decision to declare 75 academic staff redundant while simultaneously recruiting part-time lecturers.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Moi University Chapter, has rejected the redundancy plan, questioning the logic of eliminating permanent positions while advertising for lecturers to perform similar teaching roles.
The dispute exposes deeper financial and management problems at the institution, which has reportedly accumulated more than Ksh9 billion in debt.
UASU Challenges Moi University’s Redundancy Plan
UASU Secretary at Moi University, Robert Oduor, accused the acting university management of making contradictory decisions.
The union wants the university to immediately withdraw the redundancy plan and cancel advertisements seeking part-time lecturers in departments affected by the proposed layoffs.
UASU argues that terminating permanent staff while hiring part-time lecturers does not demonstrate a credible strategy for addressing the university's financial difficulties.
The union is demanding answers over the financial basis of the decision and wants management to demonstrate that a proper audit was conducted before the redundancies were announced.
Lecturers Ask Why University Is Firing and Hiring
The central question from the lecturers is straightforward: why eliminate permanent employees while recruiting temporary staff to teach?
UASU says the contradiction raises serious questions about the university's justification for declaring the 75 positions redundant.
The union argues that replacing permanent lecturers with part-time staff could fail to address the underlying financial problems while creating greater uncertainty for both employees and students.
It has also demanded that the university make public the financial findings supporting the redundancy exercise.
Without such disclosure, lecturers fear the layoffs could be driven by decisions that do not adequately address the institution's structural problems.
Remaining Lecturers Face Massive Workloads
The proposed layoffs have also raised concerns about academic workloads.
UASU claims some lecturers are already teaching classes with more than 1,000 students.
Further reducing the academic workforce could therefore place additional pressure on lecturers who remain employed.
The union warns that excessive workloads could affect teaching quality, student supervision and the overall academic experience.
The situation could become even more challenging as universities prepare to accommodate students progressing through Kenya's Competency-Based Education system.
Strike Threat Looms Over Moi University
UASU has issued a direct warning that failure to withdraw the part-time recruitment advertisements could trigger industrial action.
The lecturers have threatened to withhold teaching materials, decline handovers and commence a strike.
They have also indicated that they could pursue legal action before the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
Such action could once again disrupt learning at an institution that has experienced repeated strikes and operational challenges in recent years.
Students could consequently become the biggest casualties if management and the union fail to reach an agreement.
Ksh9 Billion Debt Deepens University Crisis
The redundancy dispute comes against the backdrop of a much larger financial crisis at Moi University.
The institution has reportedly accumulated more than Ksh9 billion in debt, creating severe pressure on its ability to finance daily operations.
The university has faced repeated disruptions as management struggles with its financial obligations.
Staff have also accused management of failing to remit deductions made from their salaries to pension schemes, medical insurers and banks.
They claim the alleged failures have damaged employees' credit standing and created additional financial difficulties for staff.
UASU Questions Previous Redundancies
The lecturers have also challenged the figures being used to justify the latest restructuring.
According to UASU, a previous redundancy exercise saw 120 employees declared redundant, leaving approximately 560 members.
The union is questioning whether the current staffing figures accurately reflect the university's workforce needs and whether another round of layoffs is justified.
The questions come as other public universities reportedly prepare to increase staffing levels to accommodate growing student numbers.
CBC Adds Pressure to Staffing Debate
UASU has questioned whether Moi University is adequately preparing for students entering higher education through the Competency-Based Education system.
The union argues that other public universities are strengthening their staffing capacity in anticipation of increased enrolment.
Moi University, by contrast, appears to be moving in the opposite direction by reducing its permanent academic workforce.
That divergence could create long-term consequences for the university's ability to compete for students and deliver quality education.
Another Crisis Threatens Learning
The latest confrontation places Moi University at another critical point.
Management is attempting to deal with a severe financial crisis, while lecturers are resisting a redundancy programme they believe is contradictory and potentially damaging to academic standards.
The university now faces pressure to justify the 75 proposed layoffs, address staff concerns and demonstrate how the restructuring will improve its financial position.
If no agreement is reached, the threatened strike could once again bring learning activities to a standstill.
Moi University’s latest dispute exposes a deeper crisis: cutting permanent lecturers while hiring part-time staff may save little while risking quality, stability and another costly strike.
