Kenyatta University Responds to Viral Memo Urging Student Couples to Live Together
Kenyatta University has disowned a memo circulating online that purportedly urged student couples to move in together as a measure to ease pressure on accommodation around the institution.
The university said on Monday, September 28, that the document was AI-generated and unauthorised, warning students and members of the public against treating it as an official communication.
The memo had attracted attention online after claiming that rising student numbers had increased demand for accommodation in areas surrounding the university, including Kahawa, Ruiru and Githurai.
According to the university, however, the document did not pass through its official communication and approval procedures and therefore does not represent its position on accommodation, relationships or any other university policy.
“Kenyatta University strictly prohibits the creation or dissemination of false, misleading, fabricated, or unauthorised information. The memo currently circulating is AI-generated and is NOT an official Kenyatta University communication,” the institution said.
The university further clarified that the document had neither been issued nor authorised by its administration.
“It has not been issued or authorised by the University and does not represent the University’s rules, regulations, policies, procedures, or official position on the sharing of information,” the university added.
University warns public against circulating fake communications
The institution urged students, staff and members of the public to exercise caution when encountering documents or statements purportedly issued by Kenyatta University, particularly when such material is shared through unofficial social media platforms.
The university said people should verify questionable communications through its recognised official channels before relying on or reproducing their contents.
“Members of the University community and the public are therefore urged not to rely on, reproduce, or circulate the contents of the memo as official University information,” the institution said.
It added: “For accurate and authorised information, always verify communications through Kenyatta University’s official communication channels.”
The clarification comes amid renewed attention to information circulating online and attributed to institutions without confirmation from their official representatives.
Previous social media claims involving Kenyatta University
The latest incident comes weeks after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) addressed a separate social media video concerning a voter registration exercise at Kenyatta University.
In a statement issued on Thursday, September 10, the electoral commission said it was aware of the video and sought to clarify how Continuous Voter Registration and voter transfer services are conducted.
IEBC said every eligible Kenyan citizen has a constitutional right to apply for registration as a voter and vote at a polling station of their choice.
The commission explained that voter transfer services are available at IEBC constituency offices across the country and are not offered at other locations.
At the same time, IEBC said it was conducting Continuous Voter Registration at all 290 constituency offices, Huduma Centres and its Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.
The commission noted that it can deploy voter registration kits to strategic locations where necessary, depending on operational considerations and the need to reach eligible citizens.
According to IEBC, this provision was behind the deployment of registration equipment to Kenyatta University.
The electoral body also said it was investigating allegations contained in the circulating video and would take appropriate action where necessary.
“The Commission has taken the allegations in the clip with the seriousness it deserves and it is currently working with relevant Government Agencies to take appropriate action in accordance with the law including making arrests where there is culpability,” IEBC said.
The commission subsequently appealed to members of the public to allow electoral officials to perform their duties without interference as the voter registration exercise continued.
The university’s latest statement similarly underscores the importance of verifying information before it is circulated as an official institutional directive.
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