Why Qwetu, UoN deal is a major boost to on-campus accommodation

Qwetu Student Housing and the University of Nairobi have announced a partnership on a 2,800 capacity Qwetu and Qejani Student Residence at the University of Nairobi's (UoN) Chiromo campus.

The facility will offer UoN students an opportunity to relish Qwetu’s student residences at an affordable cost and more importantly, alleviate the acute student housing shortage at UoN.

Qwetu and Qejani Chiromo will be the 11th Qwetu facility in the country, comprising of 850 beds of the flagship residences – Qwetu Student Residences and 1,950 beds of the more affordable brand – Qejani Student Residences.

The facility is expected to accommodate students from both the main and Chiromo UoN campuses.

Addressing the gap

The development comes at a time when the need for on-campus accommodation is at an all-time high.

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), university enrolment in Kenya has increased from 27,000 in 1989 to about 500,000 currently with no corresponding investment in accommodation leading to a huge gap.

The existing capacity for student accommodation in the country is limited with the majority of higher institutions only catering for approximately 20 per cent of their student population.

In addition, Kenya is undergoing rapid urbanization with 40 million new people expected to move into urban centres in the next 30 years.

This rapid urbanization combined with a large youth population is driving the dire need for clean, safe, conducive, amenable, and yet affordable student accommodation.

Speaking during the project’s official dedication and laying of the foundation stone ceremony held at the UoN Chiromo Campus, University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Stephen Gitahi described the partnership between UoN and Acorn Holdings Limited as one that would help address accommodation challenges at the institution.

UoN currently has an acute shortage of over 45,000 beds.

" We believe that even as we continuously look for ways to improve our physical assets, the market entry of private developers such as Acorn Holdings, who have significantly transformed student housing in the country, is a welcome move," Gitahi said.

He noted that such partnerships will further enhance access to affordable, quality and secure student accommodation adding that it underlines the University’s commitment to ensure adequate housing for a growing student population.

The Qwetu hostels will greatly support the University’s internationalization program. International students will have access to world-class accommodation next to the University.

“Our core mandate as the University of Nairobi is to teach and conduct research. Nevertheless, we have a responsibility to our student fraternity to provide decent, affordable and safe housing and such public-private partnerships allow us to accomplish the same in an efficient manner,” he said.

On his part, Acorn Holdings Ltd CEO, Edward Kirathe, expressed delight with the strategic partnership between the two institutions adding that the facility will be great for students seeking quality accommodation in a convenient location within the University.

“We are excited to partner with UoN and we look forward to building high-quality facilities in an environment that promotes students' success by fostering a sense of community while providing amenities that ease their day-to-day lives,” he said.

Qwetu currently has a portfolio of 10,000 beds of which 3,800 beds are completed and occupied.