Hundreds of Moi University Workers Stare at Job Losses as Mass Layoffs Loom

Hundreds of employees at Moi University now face possible job losses as the institution moves to implement a sweeping restructuring plan aimed at cutting costs and restoring efficiency.

While appearing before the National Assembly Education Committee on July 2, 2026, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Kiplagat Kotut said the university has initiated a comprehensive workload analysis to assess staff productivity and identify redundant positions ahead of the planned layoffs.

“We realized some people have actually not been teaching. They have been here doing nothing, parasiting on others. So, we are saying if you have not been doing anything why don’t we let you go? But those that have work load we don’t want to touch you,” Prof. Kotut said.

Beyond staffing concerns, a deepening financial crisis has pushed the institution toward the drastic decision to cut jobs.

When the National Assembly Education Committee, chaired by Hon. Julius Melly (Tinderet), met Moi University management led by Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Kiplagat Kotut, the team linked the layoffs to long-standing deficits dating back to 2014.

These deficits have steadily driven up pending bills and weakened the university’s financial position.

“We request that this Committee consider adding Kshs 1.9 billion to support recurrent expenditure for FY 2026/27. Secondly, the issue of pending bills remains a major concern for us, and it currently stands at Ksh 9 billion as a result of the university registering a deficit since 2014,” Prof Kotut said.

Also Read: Prof Olive Mugenda Among Those Summoned Over Alleged Ksh 6.2 Billion Fund Misuse

Staffing Mismatch Fuels Job Cuts at Moi University 

At the same time, university management pointed to a mismatch between staffing levels and student numbers as a key driver of the layoffs.

Student enrolment dropped sharply from over 40,000 to about 12,000 at the peak of the crisis. However, staffing levels remained high, a situation that has continued to inflate the wage bill and strain available resources.

MPs Demand Transparency Before Layoffs

Even as the university pushes forward with restructuring, Members of Parliament have called for caution and accountability.

Committee Chairperson Julius Melly urged the university to present the workload analysis report before implementing the layoffs.

“Make sure you share that report before you start implementing it,” Melly said.

Staff Numbers Already Reduced

Meanwhile, university management indicated that staff rationalization efforts have already begun.

Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration, Planning and Strategy Prof. Loice Maru said the university has reduced its workforce significantly over the past year.

“Since we came in early last year, the number of staff who we had on permanent and pensionable were over 2,000. Currently, we have 1,763. We had over 600 casual workers, last year in April we were able to reduce 300 of them,” Prof. Maru said.

Also Read: Moi University Reveals When First-Year Students Will Report Amid Lecturers’ Strike Threat

Legal Hurdles Complicate Plan

However, legal challenges continue to complicate the restructuring process.

Earlier, the Employment and Labour Relations Court blocked a plan to lay off about 900 employees and directed the university to engage unions before proceeding with redundancies.

In addition, University Council Chairperson Prof. Noah Midamba said ongoing court cases, including those involving a former Vice Chancellor, continue to drain the institution’s finances.

“What we are doing is to thin it down and do away with court cases. What is currently happening is court cases with regard to the former VC,” Prof. Midamba said.

Ultimately, Moi University must balance the urgent need to cut costs with legal requirements and staff welfare as it moves to implement the planned layoffs.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for instant news updates

Moi University Council Chair Prof Noah Midamba, Ag VC Prof Kiplagat Kotut and Ag DVC Prof Loice Maru before the Education Committee on July 2, 2026. PHOTO/ Elvis Ogina, Standard