Kibabii University has suspended teaching and learning for the first semester of the 2026/2027 academic year following student unrest at the institution.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 6, Kibabii University said its Senate had resolved to suspend Semester One activities with immediate effect following the unrest.
The university directed all students to vacate the university premises by 3:00 pm on Tuesday, October 6.
“ The University Senate in its Special Meeting held today Tuesday. 6th October 2026 resolved to suspend the 1 Semester 2026/2027 Academic Year activities following the student unrest with immediate effect.. All students should vacate the University premises immediately. latest3:00 pm,” read part of the notice.
Students residing in university hostels were also instructed to leave their rooms by the same deadline, and those ose living in the neighborhood of the university were advised to seek alternative accommodation until teaching and learning resumes.
Kibabii University Students Protest After Student Death
The closure came after protests by Kibabii University students on Tuesday morning following the reported death of one of their colleagues in an alleged attack on the night of October 5.
Also Read: University Lecturers Strike Nationwide as Talks Collapse
Reports indicated that four students were attacked by unknown assailants near the university, leaving one student dead and three others injured.
The incident was followed by student protests, with learners reportedly boycotting classes and taking to the streets, disrupting normal activities at the institution.
Police were deployed to contain the demonstrations, with officers using tear gas to disperse the protesting students.
The unrest prompted the university Senate to suspend teaching and learning for the semester and direct students to vacate the institution.
Closure Comes During Nationwide Lecturers’ Strike
The Kibabii University shutdown comes as public universities across the country face disruption following a nationwide strike by university lecturers.
The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) began a seven-day nationwide strike at midnight on Friday, October 2, over the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The union announced the strike after accusing university councils, the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury of failing to honour the Return-to-Work Formula signed on November 5, 2025.
In its September 24 announcement, UASU said the decision followed the failure by the parties to resolve outstanding issues surrounding the CBA.
“The strike shall commence at midnight next Friday 2nd October 2026. This painful decision follows the persistent failure by the councils of universities, the Ministry of Education, and the National Treasury to honour the Return-to-Work Formula signed on 5th November 2025,” the union said.
Also Read: Ogamba Breaks Silence on University Lecturers Strike
UASU has also raised concerns over the lack of progress in negotiations for the 2025–2029 CBA, saying the government had yet to table a financial counterproposal nearly a year after negotiations began.
The union is seeking a commitment that the CBA will be funded through the National Exchequer and that public university lecturers will retain their status as public officers.
It has also called for provisions in the Tertiary Education Placement and Funding Bill, 2026, to safeguard the remuneration of academic staff through the Exchequer.
Ogamba Urges Lecturers to Return to Class
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba has meanwhile called on striking university lecturers to return to class and comply with court orders as negotiations over the CBA continue.
Speaking during the World Teachers’ Day celebrations on October 6, Ogamba said the government remained committed to resolving issues raised by university staff unions through dialogue.
He urged lecturers to let the ongoing negotiations proceed instead of continuing industrial action that has disrupted learning in public universities.
“We appeal to our lecturers to obey court orders and go back to class as discussions continue,” Ogamba said.
Ogamba said the government had made progress in addressing concerns raised by university staff unions and remained committed to concluding negotiations on the 2025–2029 CBA.
The Cabinet Secretary urged the unions and other parties involved in the dispute to continue with dialogue, saying ongoing discussions should be given an opportunity to resolve the outstanding issues.
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