Kenyatta University has disowned a viral memo encouraging student couples to share housing.
The university says the document is fake and AI-generated, warning students and the public to verify accommodation information through official channels.
Kenyatta University has rejected a viral memo claiming it encouraged student couples to live together.
The document allegedly proposed cohabitation as a way to ease pressure on accommodation around the university.
However, the institution says its management neither issued nor authorised the memo.
In a statement issued on September 27, the university described the document as fake and AI-generated.
It also said the contents do not reflect its policies, regulations or official position.
The memo, dated July 27, 2026, circulated widely on social media and sparked questions among students.
What the Viral Memo Claimed
According to the disputed document, rising student admissions had increased pressure on available accommodation.
It allegedly suggested that couples share houses to create more space for other students.
Additionally, the memo presented cohabitation as a way to increase housing availability.
It also claimed the arrangement could reduce competition for rooms and lower rental costs.
However, Kenyatta University has disowned those claims and warned against treating the memo as official communication.
The institution urged students, staff and members of the public to avoid spreading fabricated or unauthorised information.
Instead, anyone seeking clarification should rely on the university’s recognised communication channels.
University Faces Accommodation Pressure
The denial comes amid existing challenges surrounding student accommodation.
Kenyatta University’s accommodation guidelines state that applying for a room does not guarantee placement.
As a result, students who miss university accommodation must make alternative housing arrangements.
Meanwhile, the university operates an off-campus accommodation programme for students who cannot secure residence places.
Those arrangements, however, remain separate from the proposal contained in the viral memo.
The university’s acknowledgement of accommodation challenges does not amount to approval of the disputed document.
Residence Rules Prohibit Cohabitation
The viral proposal also conflicts with Kenyatta University’s rules governing student residences.
Under the regulations, students cannot cohabit within university accommodation.
Students who breach the requirement risk losing their residential status.
Furthermore, hostel rules prohibit overnight visitors, including fellow students and non-students.
A violation can attract a Sh500 fine per night and loss of hostel accommodation for one academic year.
Visits between male and female hostels also remain restricted to designated hours.
Students who breach those restrictions may face disciplinary action, including withdrawal of accommodation.
University Rules Cover Accommodation Offences
The residence rules distinguish between personal relationships and prohibited conduct within university housing.
They do not impose a blanket ban on relationships between students.
Instead, the regulations restrict cohabitation and unauthorised overnight stays in university residences.
Additionally, the Parents and Guardians Handbook outlines several accommodation-related offences.
Depending on the circumstances, disciplinary measures can include fines, removal from university residences or suspension from studies.
The handbook also prohibits non-resident students from renting hostel rooms from resident students.
Similarly, residents cannot host fellow students or non-students in university accommodation.
For now, the university has urged students to seek housing guidance through authorised communication channels.
It has also warned the public against treating the circulating memo as an official university directive.
