Editor's Review
Kenyatta University has addressed a viral memo circulating online that purportedly urged student couples to move in together as a way of easing accommodation shortages at the institution.
Kenyatta University has addressed a viral memo circulating online that purportedly urged student couples to move in together as a way of easing accommodation shortages at the institution.
The memo claimed that the growing number of students had increased pressure on available accommodation, particularly in areas around the university such as Kahawa, Ruiru and Githurai.
However, in an update on Monday, September 28, Kenyatta University dismissed the letter, warning students and members of the public not to treat it as an official communication from the institution.
"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 clarified that the document had not gone through its official communication and approval processes and should therefore not be interpreted as reflecting its position on student accommodation or relationships.
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"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," Kenyatta University added.
The institution further urged students and the public to exercise caution when encountering communications attributed to the university circulating on unofficial platforms.
"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.
"For accurate and authorised information, always verify communications through Kenyatta University's official communication channels," the university further said.
This comes weeks after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) responded to a video circulating on social media alleging irregularities during a voter registration exercise at Kenyatta University.
In a statement on Thursday, September 10, the Commission said it was aware of the video and clarified the procedures governing continuous voter registration and voter transfer services.
"The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is aware of a video clip circulating on social media regarding a voter registration exercise undertaken at Kenyatta University," the statement read.
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.
It clarified that voter transfer services are currently available at IEBC constituency offices across the country and are not offered at other locations.
The commission further said it was conducting Continuous Voter Registration at all 290 IEBC constituency offices, Huduma Centres and the Customer Experience Centre at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.
IEBC explained that it can also deploy voter registration kits to strategic locations where necessary and based on operational considerations to reach eligible citizens, noting that this was what happened at Kenyatta University.
IEBC said it was investigating the allegations contained in the circulating video and would take 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," the statement added.
IEBC also called on members of the public to allow electoral officials to carry out their duties without interference as it continues with the voter registration exercise.
