Written by Lisa Murimi
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has temporarily suspended all academic activities following an ongoing industrial action by members of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU).
In an internal memo dated October 31, 2025, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor Robert Kinyua, announced that the university’s Senate reached the decision after a special meeting held on Thursday, October 30.
The strike, which has disrupted normal academic operations, prompted the university to halt all learning activities effective immediately.
“Due to the ongoing industrial action by members of staff under UASU and KUSU, which has adversely affected the normal operations of academic programmes, the Senate resolved that the University temporarily suspends academic activities with immediate effect until further notice,” read part of the memo.
All students have been directed to vacate the university premises by 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025.
However, the suspension does not affect specific groups, including medical students on clinical rotations, TVET Institute students, Mombasa Campus students, SODEL (School of Open, Distance and eLearning) students, JKUAT/KESRA students, Nakuru Campus students, and postgraduate students conducting research.
The memo further assured the university community that management regrets any inconvenience caused by the disruption and appreciates students’ understanding and cooperation during the period.
“Further communication on the resumption of academic activities will be issued in due course through the university’s official channels,” Professor Kinyua stated.
The industrial action by UASU and KUSU has affected several public universities across the country as staff demand better working conditions, improved pay, and fulfillment of previously signed collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). The strike has caused widespread disruptions in lecture schedules and examination timelines.
JKUAT’s management emphasized its commitment to restoring normalcy as soon as possible while maintaining open communication with both staff unions and students.
The university, which is renowned for its focus on research, innovation, and technology, joins other higher learning institutions in grappling with the ongoing crisis affecting Kenya’s education sector.
