Three public universities are set to expand student accommodation by more than 23,400 beds after the Treasury approved their requests to let private investors build hostels.Treasury secretary Henry Rotich has cleared Embu University College, South Eastern Kenya University (Seku) and Moi University to build hostels through the public private partnership (PPP).“The procurement of the three hostel projects has begun in earnest. Competent local and international bidders will be prequalified after the bid submission period which closes February 28,” Rotich said in a statement as quoted by the Nation on Sunday.He added:  “We have witnessed tremendous growth of public universities which has put a strain on the budgetary allocations. We are keen to partner with the private sector in meeting especially the accommodation needs, were demand outstrips supply."The hostels will have furnished rooms, separate study areas and food supply facilities along with tuck shops, the Treasury says.The investors will design, build, finance and operate the hostels for the life of the contract before the ownership reverts to the universities.Under the deal, Embu will raise its accommodation capacity by 4,000 beds, Seku will add 5,400 beds while Moi will get an additional 14,000.The consortium, which also developed the transaction documents, is also expected to oversee the procurement to execution of commercial contract.It is understood that a number of public universities have also sought the Treasury’s approval for use of PPP to finance hostels for more than 60,000 students. Among are JKUAT, Maseno, Egerton, and Kenya School of Government.

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