University of Eldoret probes lecturer over pro-Ruto remarks, threats to students

Detectives are investigating disturbing remarks from a part-time lecturer at the University of Eldoret, who was captured on camera campaigning for President William Ruto’s re-election, even going further to threaten his students if the Kenya Kwanza administration fails to recapture the top seat.

The matter, which is under investigation by the university administration, has caused a stir online, with Kenyans calling for disciplinary action against the lecturer.

In the undated clip recorded by a student inside a lecture hall at the University of Eldoret, a routine class session takes an unexpected political turn, with the part-time lecturer openly campaigning for the re-election of President Ruto.

“Take from by September when you’re in third year, the President will be who, Daktari, isn’t it? So prepare yourselves. Kama mnataka kuenda kukata miti, enda kata miti Mount Kenya, sio Sugoi this time. We are ruling for two terms…” stated the lecturer.

The lecturer went on to compare President Ruto’s administration to that of the late retired President Daniel Moi, who ruled Kenya for 24 years, while dismissing claims that the Kenya Kwanza administration would serve only one term.

“So usidanganywe, Ruto ni one term. Your MCA is one term, your MP is one term, your Senator is one term. But mark the day this man will go for…” he added.

The students’ response appears to anger the lecturer, who then warned them against returning to the university should his preferred presidential candidate lose the 2027 election.

“Akienda one term usikuje hii University. Get a university at your home. Kama uko Western enda Masinde Muliro, kama uko Mount Kenya enda Meru, Dedan Kimathi. Don’t stay in this... Wacha tusome na watoto wetu kwa University yetu," he added.

The lecturer could further be heard questioning why their “son” was being rejected, while claiming that President Ruto had outperformed previous presidents, all of whom served their full terms.

What began as a classroom interaction has since triggered an uproar on social media, with calls for action against the lecturer.

Those concerns have now reached the management of the University of Eldoret.

In a statement shared with newsrooms, the university said the utterances reportedly made by one of its part-time lecturers on September 24 do not represent, reflect, or in any way constitute the position, policy, or official views of the university.

“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," stated UoE.

The administration further said it has instituted immediate and appropriate disciplinary action against the lecturer, in accordance with applicable university policies, regulations, and principles of due process.

“The University has instituted immediate and appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable University policies, regulations, and principles of due process," UoE added.