Student Wi-Fi buses, swimming pool, computer game centre and gym make the university stand out

St Paul’s secondary students during their academic tour at the varsity

An ultra-modern student centre with a wide variety of facilities and an expansive playing field are today available to students. In just two decades, MKU and its predecessor have come a long way in providing for the welfare of students. MKU precursor TIT, located in Thika town and constrained of space, offered sport-minded students little joy.

“The institute did not have recreational facilities for students,” MKU Dean of Students Evans Mwango recalls. “Students would pour out into the street outside to bask as they waited for the next lesson to start. We would later hire the General Kago Primary School’s field. Students would visit other schools to play games but as an institution, we did not have a field of our own.”

Once the university was established, “we put up a basketball court, swimming pool and indoor games facilities,” says Mr Omwango.

“We have been growing since and built a modern student centre. It has an indoor arena, gym, salon, supermarket, cyber café, a sitting area with Wi-Fi and open spaces with roofing for students to relax and bask in comfort.”

Mr Omwango says even housing at MKU has evolved over time. He remembers thepredecessors of today’s student lived in Thika town, some with their relatives, others in people’s servant quarters. The town lacked hostels and getting accommodation was tough for students. Today, MKU has hostels that comfortably accommodate 2,000.

The dean reveals that even student health underwent positive change. From availability of painkillers to manage pain, MKU has a health clinic with all the necessary equipment, personnel and medicine.

From an institution that did not have its own field, MKU is today the home of sports champions. Indeed, it ranks among the best in sports in Kenya with its athletes participating in national and international competitions and giving opponents a run for their money. Most recently, the MKU athletics team won eight medals in South Africa in June.

“It is remarkable that these days MKU nurtures sporting talent and produces winners,” remarked Mr Omwango. Kenya’s 15s rugby team has one MKU student, Martin Owilla.

Even in politics, MKU has produced leaders, youthful Uasin Gishu Senator.

“Student leadership in the university is issue-based,” the dean points out. “It is not about which tribe you belong to or where you come from. It is about the ideas you have. Two of our student leaders are international: one from Uganda and the other from South Sudan.