University of Eldoret Faces Legal Showdown Over Mass Redundancy of Academic Staff
However, unions representing academic and non-academic staff have condemned the decision as unlawful and lacking transparency.
University of Eldoret issues redundancy notices to over 800 staff, sparking union backlash over alleged labor law violations. Photo/Viral Tea Ke.
By Kemuma Achieng
Over 800 academic staff members at the University of Eldoret (UoE) have been issued redundancy notices, triggering a wave of outrage from union leaders who have accused the institution of flouting labor laws and setting a dangerous precedent for the higher education sector.
The university administration has cited a bloated wage bill as the reason for the sweeping action, claiming the move is necessary to address an escalating payroll crisis.
However, unions representing academic and non-academic staff have condemned the decision as unlawful and lacking transparency.
During a tense meeting held earlier today, staff and union officials expressed frustration over the university’s handling of the matter, accusing it of ignoring consultations and bypassing mandatory legal procedures.
“This is a deliberate attempt to declare staff redundant without observing the law,” said Dr. Constantine Wasonga, Secretary General of the University Academic Staff Union (UASU). “Our efforts to engage the administration were completely ignored, which is unacceptable.”
Charles Mukhwaya, Secretary General of the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU), vowed to take legal action to stop what he called an assault on workers’ rights.
“We won’t back down. We’re ready to take this to court,” Mukhwaya stated. “This is a clear violation of the rights of workers, and the scale of the dismissals is without precedent. Some of those affected are nearing retirement—this is not just unfair, it’s inhumane.”
Union officials argue that the university has disregarded the provisions of the Labour Relations Act and collective bargaining agreements, which require structured dialogue, notice periods, and humane handling of redundancy processes.
The unions are now mobilizing for a legal battle to challenge the redundancy notices, demanding reinstatement of affected staff and adherence to due process.
The controversy comes amid broader concerns about the financial sustainability of Kenya’s public universities and the protection of academic staff during periods of economic difficulty.
About Author
