Kenyatta University facing accommodation nightmare

Accommodation is turning out to be a headache for returning Kenyatta University students.

This comes after around 6,000 students were relocated from Nyayo, the university’s largest accommodation complex, to make way for renovations. The university is expected to host the World Youth Games in 2017.

The university agreed to compensate affected students a sum of Sh21,200 each in order for them to find accommodation outside campus. With the semester beginning in January, a significant number of students are yet to receive the money, prompting anxiety and despair.

“I have no option but to wait for that money,” says Eric*, a fourth-year public policy and administration student.

James Mutua received his money on December 28, but is yet to find accommodation outside the campus.

“I have looked everywhere close to the university - Kahawa, Githurai and Ruiru. All the hostels are occupied and I might be forced to put off the semester,” he said.

The university declined to comment on the matter, but the Kenyatta University Students Association president, George Were, expressed his disappointment with the slow process of compensation and promised to keep the pressure on until it was completed.

Brian Guserwa