- Residents have urged landlords around Tharaka University to balance student accommodation demand with long-term tenants’ interests.
- They say some workers are being asked to vacate as landlords seek higher semester-based returns from students.
- The concerns come as Tharaka University accommodates a rapidly growing student population around Gatunga in Tharaka Nithi County.
Landlords and property owners in Runda-Gatunga, near Tharaka University in Tharaka Constituency, Tharaka Nithi County, have been urged to balance the growing demand for student accommodation with the interests of long-term tenants.
The appeal comes amid concerns that some workers who have been paying monthly rent consistently are being asked to vacate their houses to pave the way for students, who are perceived to offer higher returns by paying rent for an entire four-month semester.
Those raising the concerns have cautioned landlords against prioritising short-term financial gains at the expense of reliable tenants and long-term relationships within the community.
They noted that while the increasing student population around Tharaka University has created a lucrative market for rental property, workers and other residents who have occupied houses for several years should not be unfairly displaced simply because landlords can earn more from student tenants.
“A student may occupy a house for one semester and leave after completing the semester, transferring to another institution or choosing alternative accommodation. A worker, on the other hand, may remain in the same house for years while paying rent consistently,” the concerned residents said.
Residents call for fair tenancy practices
The situation has sparked debate over the need for landlords to adopt fair and sustainable approaches to managing rental properties as the university continues to attract students from different parts of the country.
Residents said landlords have a legitimate right to run profitable businesses but should also consider the importance of trust, fairness and maintaining good relationships with tenants.
They warned that repeatedly evicting tenants whenever a more profitable opportunity emerges could damage landlords’ reputations and undermine confidence among prospective tenants.
The residents further called for solutions that would allow landlords to accommodate both students and workers without unnecessarily disadvantaging tenants who have demonstrated loyalty and reliability.
They said a good reputation remains an important asset in the rental business, particularly in communities where information about landlords and properties spreads quickly through word of mouth.
University growth fuels housing demand
The concerns come at a time when the expansion of university education continues to influence housing patterns around institutions of higher learning, creating new opportunities for property owners while also increasing competition for affordable accommodation.
Tharaka University announced in July that it was preparing to receive more than 6,300 first-year students for the September 2026 intake. The university also held an accommodation stakeholders’ meeting involving landlords, security agencies, student leaders and local administrators to map available housing and strengthen student welfare arrangements.
The university’s student handbook states that non-residential students make their own accommodation arrangements with landlords, although the Dean of Students may assist them in locating rental places.
Residents urged landlords in Runda-Gatunga to consider long-term sustainability and responsible tenancy practices, saying profitability should be pursued without compromising fairness and community relations.
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They urged property owners to protect their reputation while taking advantage of the opportunities created by the growing student population.
By Kithinji Njeru
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