Senators are demanding for urgent reforms to public university accommodation policies in order to address the continuous skyrocketing hostel fees and dilapidated conditions that have left many students stranded, vulnerable, and financially strained.
A report recently presented to the Senate revealed that some institutions now charge up to Ksh40, 000 per semester for hostel rooms, a sharp rise compared to previous years. Lawmakers warned that such costs are locking out students from poor backgrounds and worsening the inequality in higher education.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna expressed alarm over the growing trend of students, especially girls, being forced into unsafe off-campus housing due to unaffordable fees.
“Students are sacrificing safety for affordability,” Sifuna said. “This isn’t just a financial issue, it’s a matter of dignity and access.”
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West Pokot Senator Julius Murgor echoed these concerns, noting that many students may end up dropping out entirely. “It’s heartbreaking,” he said. “Universities are supposed to be sanctuaries for learning, not battlegrounds for survival. Our children from common families are being pushed aside.”
The Senate further criticized universities for failing to maintain the hostel infrastructure despite imposing premium fees. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei sarcastically remarked, “Even slums look better than some of these hostels. Bedbugs are part of the welcome package.”
He proposed that the government include university hostels in its affordable housing initiative, arguing that this move would relieve pressure on students and ensure safer living conditions.
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Other lawmakers supported the idea, saying the lack of maintenance and inflationary charges reflect broken priorities in university management.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale turned the spotlight on the funding model. He criticized the government’s shift from the previous structure where parents could afford modest contributions, saying today’s system leaves families overwhelmed despite partial subsidies.
“We must reimagine how we finance education,” Khalwale urged. “Housing is not an optional extra—it’s part of the academic journey.”
With mounting pressure from senators, the Ministry of Education now faces calls for full transparency and a comprehensive review of the policies governing student accommodation in institutions of higher learning.
By Masaki Enock
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