Did Arizona University Dismiss Kenyan Graduates Recognized By Ruto? [FACT CHECK]

On Sunday, December 10, a press release allegedly published by the University of Arizona which denounced a graduation ceremony presided over by President William Ruto sent Kenyan tongues wagging.

The letter shared by a user on X claimed that the institution of higher learning had denied being associated with the Kenyan graduates whom President Ruto had awarded certificates of completion after they enrolled for free online courses.

"In response to recent assertions, the University of Arizona categorically denies any affiliation with the graduates in Kenya, whose ceremony was presided over by President Ruto.

A building at the University of Arizona. /UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

"We wish to emphasize our unequivocal disassociation from this fraudulent claim and underscore that these individuals did not pursue their studies at our esteemed institution," claimed the letter in part.

It further compelled President Ruto to shift focus to addressing the immediate needs of the Kenyan populace and cut down on his international travels which have been numerous and have attracted widespread criticism for several weeks.

"Fair taxation measures and the provision of essential resources, such as wheelbarrows, should be at the forefront of his agenda to uplift the lives of citizens.

"We encourage President Ruto to refrain from unnecessary international travels and instead concentrate his efforts on domestic matters, actively contributing to the nation's development. By prioritizing these essential issues, we believe President Ruto can play a crucial role in fostering the well-being and prosperity of the Kenyan people," added the purported letter.

However, Kenyans were quick to flag down the letter as fake owing to the letter as well as demands issued, with some claiming that the tone of the press release represented someone unhappy with the current regime.

Viral Tea can also confirm that this letter is fake as no such communication was issued by the University of Arizona on its official channels.

A quick look at the University of Arizona's website reveals a media section which consists of media information and news releases for journalists covering the affairs of the university, with its last news release being on Friday, December 8.

On social media, the University has also not posted anything related to the same, the last post coming on Friday, as the institution and the government were yet to comment on the matter by the time of publishing this article.

Meanwhile, the President issued the certificates on Saturday, December 9 during the second day of the ongoing Youth Connekt Africa Summit 2023 being held at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

"To all the good people who took up the challenge when I made the announcement last year, it didn't look real then, but today we have evidence that it is reality, and we have graduates here today with certificates," he expressed.

This comes after, during last year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, President Ruto declared that everyone present at the Nyayo Stadium would be granted a scholarship for the Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation program from Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.

President William Ruto awarding graduates of the University of Arizona on December 9, 2023. /PCS