This archive report was first published on 21 August 2020.
On August 21, 2020, Egerton University announced plans to lay off 400 employees to reduce payroll costs by Sh38 million monthly.
However, the Kenya Universities Staff Union (Kusu) has come out strongly against the plan, calling it a 'mere excuse' to address the university's financial woes.
According to Kusu Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya, the university's financial struggles are a result of misappropriation of funds, corruption, and wastage of resources, which have cost the institution Sh2 billion over the past five years.
"We invite the government to institute an urgent and in-depth investigation into financial impropriety, corruption, and abuse of office at Egerton University," Mukhwaya said.
Egerton University Vice Chancellor Rose Mwonya had earlier stated that the university council approved the retrenchment plan, which would save the institution at least Sh464.4 million per year.
However, Kusu is demanding that the university halt the retrenchment plan, citing the financial struggles as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and shrinking government funding since 2015.
