Linda Mwananchi movement’s leader Edwin Sifuna was denied access to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Karen Campus after the institution canceled a student forum he had been invited to attend on September 17.
Sifuna said he arrived at the campus on Thursday, September 17, after receiving an invitation from the student leadership to attend the inaugural Law, Policy and Governance Forum.
However, he claimed that the university administration abruptly called off the event and denied him and his delegation 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 ‘canceled’ the event and denied us access to the institution,” Sifuna said.
The cancellation of the forum came against the backdrop of JKUAT’s active student-leadership programs and the university’s Karen Campus, which houses the School of Law.
Under the Universities Act, student councils plan student activities in consultation with university authorities, while universities retain authority over their internal affairs.
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JKUAT’s Officials on Edwin Sifuna Forum Cancellation
In a response explaining the decision, a university official said the meeting had been postponed because some professors were away.
“If we have postponed the meeting because some professors are away, then they invite them again. That’s what it is,” the official explained.
The official also urged that students not be exposed to situations that could cause problems, saying, “We don’t want students to face traps.”
In a video shared by Sifuna’s team, the university administrator pleads with students not to proceed with the event because of the chaos.
Further, the administrator noted that if the students were allowed to cause chaos, it would be problematic for the institution.
Despite being turned away, Sifuna has affirmed that he will visit JKUAT to continue with his intended forum.
According to Sifuna, most of the public is filled with fear; however, the new generation is ready to rise and reclaim the country.
“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. I thank the Governor, Students Association Karen Campus, Graham Mboya, for the invitation. I will return the courtesy by inviting you and your fellow students to the Senate tukitoka mashinani so the conversation can continue. God bless!” Edwin Sifuna noted.
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Public Opinion on Forum Cancellation
Members of the public have expressed mixed reactions on social media, with users expressing both support and criticism of the university’s decision.
Some users backed Sifuna, questioning the basis for denying him access after student leaders invited him.
Others suggested the cancellation reflected wider concerns about political activities in universities, with some calling for the forum to the held off campus.
On the other hand, some users called out Sifuna, arguing that organizers should have followed the university’s procedures for hosting political events and supporting the view that the administration had the authority to sanction such activities.
In addition, other users suggested holding the forum outside the university gate rather than challenging the administration’s decision.
While some argued for the appropriate channels that Sifuna should have followed, some emphasized that there was political interference, including allegations involving senior government officials against the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
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