A University of Eldoret part-time lecturer has landed in trouble after he was captured during a classroom session telling students not to return to the institution if President William Ruto loses the 2027 presidential election.
The lecturer, who was teaching "SHUM 211: State and Society Development", told students who doubted Dr Ruto would secure a second term to prepare to leave the university if he indeed serves only one term.
“If he goes for one term, don't come to this university. Get a university at your home,” the lecturer is heard telling the students in a video circulating on social media.
He went further to direct students from different regions to universities in their respective areas, telling those from Western Kenya to go to Masinde Muliro University and those from the Mt Kenya region to consider institutions such as Meru and Dedan Kimathi universities.
The lecturer told students who doubted Dr Ruto would secure a second term to prepare to leave the university if he indeed serves only one term.
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The remarks, made during the September 24 class at ED5, have drawn attention to the use of political and regional references in a university classroom.
The university has since moved to distance itself from the lecturer’s remarks noting that they should not be construed as its institutional position, and indicated that it has instituted disciplinary action.
The lecturer, while responding to students discussing whether President Ruto would serve one or two terms, urged them not to be misled that Mr Ruto would serve only one term, before students in the class responded that he would be a “one-term” president.
The lecturer also appeared to defend the President's record, comparing his administration with those of former presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta and questioning why students referred to Mr Ruto as a one-term leader.
“Our son is performing very well,” he said, according to the recording, before referring to Dr Ruto as “our own son”.
The remarks have since prompted the University of Eldoret to distance itself from the lecturer and announce disciplinary action.
In a statement, the university management, through its corporate affairs office, said it had taken note of and strongly condemns the remarks, describing them as unfortunate and unacceptable.
It said the utterances attributed to the lecturer do not represent, reflect, or in any way constitute the position, policy, or official views of the University of Eldoret and should not be construed as its institutional position.
The university said the lecturer was a part-time member of staff and that all employees, including part-time lecturers, are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with university policies, applicable laws, professional standards and the obligations arising from their engagement with the institution.
“Accordingly, the University has instituted immediate and appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable University policies, regulations, and principles of due process,” the management said.
The institution added that it would take all necessary measures where the conduct of any member of staff is found to be inconsistent with its standards.
The university assured students, staff, partners and the public of its commitment to its constitutional and statutory mandate. It stressed that it serves a diverse student population from Kenya and other parts of the world and remains committed to protecting the dignity, rights, safety and welfare of members of its community.
It further reaffirmed its commitment to equality and non-discrimination, academic professionalism, institutional accountability and the rule of law.
The incident comes amid increased scrutiny of political statements in the Rift Valley as political activity and debate around the 2027 General Election intensify.
In a separate case recently, Nominated MP Joseph Wainaina Iraya was summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over remarks he allegedly made while addressing residents in Ngeria, Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County, on August 29.
The commission said it was investigating his remarks concerning members of the Kikuyu community who did not support President Ruto’s re-election bid.
According to the summons, he allegedly said that members of the Kikuyu community who do not support President William Ruto or his United Democratic Action (UDA) party should leave the Rift Valley region and return after the next elections.
He was also cited for remarks in which he allegedly urged people to identify members of the community who do not support Dr Ruto and UDA.
MP Wainaina was initially required to appear before the NCIC on September 17, but the date was later moved to September 30 after he requested a rescheduling.
The commission said he would be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations, present evidence and make representations before a determination is made.
The remarks have also drawn criticism from leaders in Uasin Gishu, with county politicians calling for peaceful campaigns and cautioning against statements that could heighten tensions between communities.
