In order to curb the hostel shortage among the increasing number of students joining Maseno University, there is need for the institution to embrace public private partnerships.
For a long time the institution has experienced problems with students who demand accommodation within the university without success.
I do understand that it’s not a mandate of a university to provide accommodation to all its students but with the vast land that is not put under meaningful use, the university can collaborate with financial institutions in the area to build hostels through a PPP programme.
Lack of accommodation within the university could be among reasons why insecurity is rampant in the region, it is also the reason why landlords in Maseno town exploit students with their exorbitant rents that do not match the rooms students pay for.
It is a shame that in Maseno town, a simple room with no water, accessible road, ceiling, good security system costs bout Sh9,000 but students go as far as paying Sh20,000, Sh25,000 or even Sh30,000 for somehow decent rooms which in the long run might lack constant supply of water, security and accessible road to classes.
The rooms are small and at times students are forced to stay more than the required number in order to foot the bill or for security reasons which at the end hampers their studies.
Through PPP, the University of Nairobi intends to build hostels worth Sh3 billion along Harry Thuku road while Kenyatta University plans to build a hostel worth Sh1 billion.
Maseno University can take advantage of its vast idle land to do the same through private public partnerships.
Some financial institutions such as Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank just to mention but a few are willing and ready to work with Kenyans citizens, organisations and institutions of learning to enhance development in the country and decent accommodation among Kenyan people is one of the key things outlined clearly in the vision 2013 blue print.
It should also be noted that the government for a long time has urged institutions of higher learning to engage in PPP so as to solve the issue of accommodation which is not only been a problem at Maseno University but in other universities as well.
As the number of fresh men and women increases every year, the institution should embrace Public Private Partnerships to spearhead its development to reduce the amount shouldered by the student in their quest to get education.