Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna with student leaders from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology's Karen campus on September 17, 2026. / HANDOUTNairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has claimed the administration of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology's Karen campus abruptly cancelled a student forum and denied him access to the institution.
Sifuna said he had gone to the campus at the invitation of student leaders for an inaugural Law, Policy and Governance Forum when the meeting was cancelled.
He described the move as uncalled for.
“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.
Addressing the media after the incident, Sifuna said the engagement was not intended to be a political rally, arguing that politicians could also meet young people simply to have conversations outside politics.
“They don't believe it because I have not come here for a rally. You guys know for a fact that I can throw a bash,” Sifuna said.
He questioned why politicians were assumed to only engage in political activities whenever they met students.
“We can actually just come and have conversations about even the weather,” he said.
“Why do you just imagine that politicians are only about politics? We can talk about anything, including what you guys like to have for lunch,” Sifuna added.
In a video shared by Sifuna, a school administrator appeared to explain that the meeting had been postponed, saying some professors were away and would have to be invited again.
“We don't want students to face traps,” the administrator said.
“If we have postponed the meeting, we have the professors who are away, then they invite them again. That's what it is,” the administrator said.
The administrator also appealed for restraint, warning about potential disruption if students were allowed to cause problems.
“If you allow the students to cause problems, they can be very painful. Please, please, please, please,” the administrator said.
The statements came after the planned engagement involving Sifuna and students at the Karen campus.
About an hour after his initial post, Sifuna said the incident reinforced his view that young people should continue demanding space for open engagement.
“Bwana there is just fear everywhere…but a bold new generation must rise up and reclaim their country,” he said.
Sifuna linked his position to the Constitution, saying the values in its preamble, particularly freedom, should remain central to public engagement.
“This is why we continue to preach the values in the preamble of our Constitution, most importantly, freedom,” he said.
He thanked Karen Campus Students Association Governor Graham Mboya for the invitation and said he would offer the students another opportunity for the conversation to continue.
“I’ll be returning the courtesy by inviting you and your fellow students to the Senate tukitoka mashinani so that the conversation can continue. God bless!” Sifuna said.
Sifuna said the students would be formally invited to the Senate for another engagement after the Senate's activities outside Nairobi.
He said the invitation would allow the conversation with the students to continue despite the disruption at JKUAT Karen.
