Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has protested the cancellation of a student forum at JKUAT Karen, claiming the university administration denied him and other invited guests access to the institution.
Sifuna said he had been invited by the student leadership to attend the inaugural Law, Policy and Governance Forum but that the event was abruptly cancelled by the administration.
“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,” Sifuna said in a statement on Thursday.
He described the move as “totally uncalled for” but did not give details on why the university administration cancelled the forum or whether the organisers had been given a reason.
Sifuna's remarks come amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election, with opposition leaders increasingly engaging young people and student groups on questions of governance, public policy and the country's political direction.
The Nairobi Senator has been one of the more vocal critics of President William Ruto's administration and has repeatedly challenged the government over its record and policies.
The cancellation of the forum could further fuel debate over the space available for political discussions in institutions of higher learning, although Sifuna did not allege that the decision was politically motivated.
He also did not indicate whether the organisers intend to reschedule the forum or whether the university administration has provided an alternative date.
The university had not, at the time of Sifuna's statement, publicly explained the circumstances surrounding the cancellation.
