Kibabii University has dismissed as fake a viral memo circulating on social media that purportedly barred second, third, and fourth-year students from dating incoming first-year students.
The document, presented as an internal memo from the Office of the Registrar (Academic Affairs), claimed to provide guidelines on conduct toward first-year students and prohibited the exploitation of freshmen.
One section stated that no second, third, or fourth-year student should date or engage in an inappropriate relationship with a first-year student.
The fake memo quickly spread across social media platforms, attracting mixed reactions from students and members of the public, with many questioning whether the university had indeed issued such a directive.
Kibabii University Denies Viral Memo
Speaking on the matter, an official at the university told The Kenya Times the document was not genuine, noting that it did not bear the authentic signature or official stamp of the Registrar (Academic Affairs).
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The university official maintained that the signature appearing on the document was not that of the registrar and that the stamp displayed on it was also not authentic.
“This is AI-generated. That is not the registrar’s signature, and that is not the registrar’s stamp,” Mutwiwa said in response to the circulating memo.
The fake memo was dated July 24, 2026, and addressed to all students.
Besides the controversial dating issue, it also warned students against exploiting first-year students through the sale of portals, registration services and student handbooks.
Its wording and appearance led many online users to believe it originated from the university, triggering widespread discussion on whether institutions should regulate relationships between adult students on campus.
The university’s dismissal of the document has now shifted attention to the growing challenge of misinformation and fabricated documents being circulated online.
Universities and other institutions have increasingly been forced to issue clarifications after fake notices, letters and memos bearing forged signatures and stamps are shared on social media.
What University Rules Typically Cover
Universities in Kenya are known for enforcing detailed rules governing student conduct, discipline and welfare.
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Institutions routinely regulate issues such as alcohol and drug use, examinations, accommodation, demonstrations, public conduct and sexual harassment to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.
The Commission for University Education (CUE) requires universities to establish disciplinary frameworks covering matters such as student behavior, harassment, safety, dress codes, alcohol and drug abuse, and grievance resolution mechanisms.
At the University of Nairobi, the Student Code of Conduct contains provisions on alcohol and drugs, demonstrations, accommodation, examinations, weapons, public utterances and disciplinary offenses.
Universities commonly classify theft, assault, fighting, gambling and destruction of property as disciplinary offenses.
CUE lists fighting, theft, assault and gambling among offences institutions should include in student disciplinary regulations.
Kenyatta University also imposes strict rules on students.
Students are required to seek written permission before keeping motor vehicles on campus, while the institution treats drug possession, drunkenness and disruptive behavior as disciplinary offenses.
The university’s accommodation regulations further prohibit practices such as room trading, unauthorized room transfers and illegal occupation of hostels.
These regulations demonstrate that Kenyan universities do not hesitate to intervene in matters affecting order, safety and student welfare.
However, rules barring adult students from entering consensual relationships solely because they are in different years of study are largely unheard of in public universities.
Existing regulations typically focus on preventing sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse rather than policing relationships between consenting adults.
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