Sifuna Blocked From JKUAT Forum as University Cites Unrest Concerns

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was briefly stopped from entering Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Karen campus on Thursday, where he was scheduled to address students at a governance forum.

Sifuna had been invited by the JKUAT Students’ Association to headline the inaugural Law, Policy and Governance Forum, which was to examine the role of law in governance and public policy. Student leaders said the university administration was aware of the programme, which included panel discussions on how young people can participate in national affairs.

However, when Sifuna and his team arrived at the campus, security personnel stopped them at the gate and initially denied them entry. There was also uncertainty over whether the forum would proceed. 

Organisers said the event had been cancelled without explanation, while students waiting outside were initially prevented from entering before some were later allowed onto the campus. In video footage shared online, a university official told students that the meeting had been postponed because of concerns about possible unrest. 

The official said participants would be invited back at a later date. Another explanation cited the absence of key faculty members. Sifuna was later allowed onto the campus but only for a private meeting with university management. He subsequently criticised the restrictions, saying they created an atmosphere of fear around public events and undermined constitutional freedoms.

“There is just fear everywhere…but a bold new generation must rise and reclaim their country,” he said, adding that he would invite JKUAT student leaders to the Senate to continue the discussion.

The incident comes as Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi movement increase their political engagements in Nairobi ahead of the 2027 General Election. JKUAT has not yet clarified who ordered the cancellation of the forum or when it will be rescheduled.