Learning at Moi University is likely to face fresh uncertainty after lecturers threatened to go on strike over the university's decision to declare 75 academic staff redundant.

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The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), Moi University Chapter, opposed the redundancy plan, questioning why the university was laying off permanent staff while at the same time advertising for part-time lecturers.

The union described the move by the acting university management as contradictory, particularly amid claims that the institution is facing financial difficulties.

"On behalf of the Universities Academic Staff Union, Moi University Chapter, we register our strongest displeasure  and total rejection of the decision by the University Management, I stress acting University Management, to declare 75 of our members redundant while simultaneously advertising for part-time lecturers to fill the same positions. We find serious contradictions in the University Management's notice of redundancy," stated UASU secretary, Moi University Chapter, Robert Oduor.

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"You fire and hire at the same time? How does this address purported financial challenges the university allegedly faces?" the union said.

The lecturers also demanded to know whether the university had conducted a financial audit before making the redundancy decision, saying the findings should be made public to justify the move.

According to the union, the redundancy would worsen the workload for lecturers who remain in employment.

UASU also claimed that some members are already teaching classes with more than 1,000 students, raising concerns over the impact of further staff reductions on the quality of education.

"As we speak, we have colleagues, we have lecturers who are teaching classes of well over 1,000 students . We demand immediate withdrawal of the advert for part-time lecturers in the affected departments; failure to which we shall instruct our members to cede any teaching materials, not conduct any handover. We shall commence industrial action, including a strike and legal action in the Employment and Labour Relations Court," the lecturers added.

The lecturers cited a previous redundancy exercise in which they said 120 staff were declared redundant, leaving about 560 members, and questioned the accuracy of the current figures being presented by management.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke