The Embu University entrance. [Photo/myskuulkenya.com]
University hostels will soon be built through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
This came to light as Kenya held its first Investor Conference on the development of university hostels to showcase the many exciting opportunities for investment in the public universities student accommodation to investors. The first phase of the programme seeks to develop a 25,000 bed capacity in three public universities namely Moi, Embu and South Eastern University of Kenya (SEKU). Each project will be procured separately though prospective investors, who are allowed to bid for more than one project as long as they can demonstrate sufficient capacity to undertake the projects.According to Eng. Stanley Kamau, the director for PPP Unit, most public universities have expressed interest in developing various education facilities through the PPP Model. “The PPP Model has attracted most public institutions in the country keen to attract private investment in a context of competing public needs. The PPP model is also preferred mainly due to its ability to tie in the operation and maintenance aspect of an infrastructure asset, meaning facilities developing are able to remain in a great condition for the entire life of the contract,” said Kamau. The vice-chancellors for Moi University, Embu and SEKU told investors in the country there is a huge demand for quality accommodation all around their universities. “If you’re at Moi for instance, when you add up the hostel capacity in the university and that developed by the private sector around our university, there is still a huge demand, which we hope will be plugged through the PPP Model,” said the Moi University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Nathan Ongechi. According to the Ministry of Education, universities are facing a major bed capacity shortage, which is a hindrance in availing access to higher learning both within the public and private sector.Kenya has 72-chartered private and public universities with an estimated bed capacity of 300,000, against a total enrolment of over 770,000 students.
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