Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was on Thursday denied entry to the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Karen Campus after the university administration cancelled a student forum he had been invited to address.
Sifuna said he had travelled to the campus at the invitation of the student leadership to attend the inaugural Law, Policy and Governance Forum, only to find the event had been called off and his delegation denied access to the institution.
“We came to JKUAT Karen on the invitation of the student leadership for their Inaugural Law, Policy and Governance forum, but the Administration has abruptly ‘cancelled’ the event and denied us access to the institution. Totally uncalled for,” Sifuna said in a post on X.
The forum, organised by the Jomo Kenyatta University Students’ Association (JKUSA), was expected to bring together students and invited guests to discuss the role of law in governance and public policy.
Speaking to journalists outside the campus, Sifuna questioned the decision to cancel the engagement, insisting that his visit was not intended to be a political rally.
“They don’t believe it because I have not come here for a rally,” he said, arguing that politicians should be able to engage young people on issues beyond partisan politics.
“We can actually just come and have conversations about even the weather. We can talk about anything, including what you guys like to have for lunch,” he added.
A video shared by Sifuna showed a university official explaining the postponement to students – led by the campus Governor Mboya – gathered outside the campus.
The official cited concerns about potential student unrest, saying the participants would be invited back at a later date.
“We don’t want students to cause problems. We have postponed the meeting, then we will invite them again,” the official said.
In a subsequent post on X, Sifuna said the incident demonstrated what he described as a climate of fear surrounding public engagements.
“Bwana there is just fear everywhere, but a bold new generation must rise up and reclaim their country. This is why we continue to preach the values in the preamble of our Constitution, most importantly, freedom,” he said.
Sifuna thanked Karen Campus Governor Mboya for the invitation and said he would invite him and other students to the Senate to continue the conversation.
“I’ll be returning the courtesy by inviting you and your fellow students to the Senate so that the conversation can continue. God bless!” he added.
