Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has announced an immediate indefinite closure of the institution following a prolonged lecturers' strike.
In a notice dated Saturday, November 1, students who are still residing within the university premises were ordered to vacate the institution by Sunday, November 1, at 4 pm.
The announcement, issued by the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Robert Kinyua, follows the ongoing industrial action by members of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU) and the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU).
The strike, which is currently in its seventh week, has reportedly disrupted learning and administrative operations across multiple public universities, leaving students stranded.
According to the notice, a special meeting of the Senate held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, resolved to suspend all academic programmes with immediate effect until further notice.
"Due to the ongoing industrial action which has adversely affected the normal operations of academic programmes, the University temporarily suspends academic activities with immediate effect until further notice,” read part of the statement.
The statement went on to add: "Consequently, all students are required to clear from the University by 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 2, 2025."
While the directive ordered most students to immediately leave the insitution, the notice excluded seven categories of students from vacating the university premises.
These categories include students on clinical rotations, JKUAT college students, Mombasa Campus students, e-Learning students, Nakuru Campus students and postgraduate students conducting research.
The university administration went ahead to express regret over the inconvenience caused by the shutdown, but commended learners for their understanding and cooperation.
"The University management regrets any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates your understanding and cooperation during this period," the letter read.
According to the university Deputy Vice Chancellor, communication on the resumption of academic activities will be issued in due course through the institution's official channels.
