The University of Eldoret has instituted disciplinary action against a part-time lecturer who was captured on camera telling students not to return to the institution if President William Ruto loses the 2027 General Election.
In a statement, the university said it had initiated immediate disciplinary proceedings against the lecturer over the remarks, which were reportedly made on September 24, stressing that the comments did not represent its official position.
“The University has instituted immediate and appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable University policies, regulations, and principles of due process,” the institution said.
The university distanced itself from the lecturer's remarks, saying they did not reflect its institutional position or policies.
“The University wishes to state that the utterances attributed to the said lecturer do not represent, reflect, or in any way constitute the position, policy, or official views of the University of Eldoret,” it added.
The disciplinary action follows the circulation of a video recorded by a student inside a lecture hall, showing the lecturer turning a routine class session into a political discussion in which he openly campaigned for Ruto's re-election.
In the clip, the lecturer is heard dismissing suggestions that the President would serve only one term, drawing comparisons with elected leaders serving a single term in office.
“Do not be deceived that Ruto will serve for one term. Your MCA is one term, your MP is one term and your senator is one term,” he said.
The lecturer then began saying that the President would go for another term, but was interrupted by students who appeared to suggest that he would serve only one term.
The exchange appeared to anger the lecturer, who subsequently warned students against returning to the institution if Ruto lost the 2027 presidential election.
“If he (Ruto) goes home, do not return to this university. Get a university at your home. If you are from Western, go to Masinde Muliro. If you are from Mt Kenya, go to Meru, Dedan Kimathi. Don't stay in this... Allow us to study in this university with our children,” he said.
The lecturer also questioned why the President, whom he referred to as their “son”, was being rejected, while claiming that Ruto had performed better than previous presidents, all of whom served their full terms.
He went on to compare the Kenya Kwanza administration to that of the late retired President Daniel arap Moi, who ruled Kenya for 24 years, while dismissing suggestions that Ruto's administration would serve only one term.
