JKUAT orders all students to vacate campus amid strike

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has directed all students to vacate its campuses within the next 24 hours, by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025, following a disruption in academic activities caused by ongoing lecturers’ strikes.

In a statement published on X on Saturday, November 1, 2025, the university said the suspension is necessary to ensure student safety and maintain order amid the industrial action.

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“The ongoing strikes by UASU and KUSU have significantly affected our academic programmes. We urge all students to clear the campus by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025,” the statement read.

Research, clinical exemptions

The university also clarified that certain students are exempted from the directive. These include medical students on clinical rotations, JKUAT TVET Institute students, Mombasa Campus students, SODEL students, JKUAT/KESRA students, Nakuru Campus students conducting research, and postgraduate students engaged in ongoing research.

These groups are allowed to continue their activities as usual while other students vacate the campus.

The university expressed deep regret over the disruption, saying, “We regret any inconvenience this may cause, but the decision was necessary to safeguard our students and staff. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period.”

The statement further assured that updates regarding the resumption of academic activities would be communicated through official university channels, including the website and social media platforms. The suspension was confirmed after a special Senate meeting held on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Strike context

The directive comes after UASU rejected the government’s offer to pay Ksh7.9 billion in phases, insisting on a full lump-sum payment.

UASU Secretary General Constantine Wesonga said lecturers are prepared for a prolonged strike until their demands are met.

Watch: Strike to continue as lecturers reject govt offer to pay Ksh7.9B in 2 phases

The union outlined three conditions for resuming work: immediate payment of the arrears, full implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement, and continuation of industrial action across all public universities and colleges until these demands are fulfilled.

The strike, now in its 46th day, has disrupted learning, with Education CS Migos Ogamba noting that students are suffering amid unresolved negotiations.