The Long And Winding Road Back To Student Hostel Dignity In Kenya

Less than a decade ago, living in hostels was a dangerous affair whose misery was compounded by a lack of dignity. Blocked toilets, no running water, sharing of beds, and insecurity were all common for university students who resided in public hostels.

So dire was the situation that the Daily Nation ran multiple stories that described the living situation for the students as a “full-blown crisis.” The most alarming was an article that appeared in the Daily Nation on March 15, 2029: “Students Paying with Their Lives for Hostel Shortage in Varsities.” The article exposed the threats students housed outside face, including fatal attacks from gangs.

The main reason for the student living crisis described above was the result of universities not putting up enough hostels and supporting infrastructure. The institutions’ investments in student infrastructure could not keep up with increased enrolment. Demand for the few beds was just too high, and some enterprising students went as far as renting their bed spaces for a premium.

Students who managed to avoid this chaos often had to pay a premium, either by renting costly apartments or coughing up a king’s ransom to live in the few available private hostels.

It is against this backdrop that Acorn Holdings, one of Africa’s leading developers, went big on hostels or Purpose Build Student Accommodation (PBSAs), where it dreamed of returning dignity to student housing.

To this end, it committed to developing vibrant and inclusive residential communities through exceptional living experiences that empower individuals to thrive.

The PBSAs housed under the Qwetu and Qejani brands were designed to ensure the best in comfort and safety.

But how?

First, the rooms are self-contained with beds, furniture, a modern kitchenette fitted with an induction cooker, a microwave, and a 7 cubic foot refrigerator. Sorry, you have to bring your own cookware and food ingredients, but save for these, the rooms are very comfortable.

Such fittings are important because students avoid the nomadic life where they have to carry beds, stoves, and other items every time a semester ends.

On security, all properties have CCTV camera networks, biometric access gates, a 24/7 security team at each residence, and a rapid response team in case of emergencies.

Qwetu and Qejani have enhanced the student living experience.

The hostels are melting pots for sports, music, movies, and game nights. There are also frequent sessions where modern-day challenges such as self-care and wellness, communal living, drugs, and substance abuse are discussed.

Qwetu and Qejani are going further in 2025, where more sessions on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, career mapping, and wellness will be included.

So far, the brands have achieved their intended purpose.

The student tenant satisfaction is high. All properties recorded an annual Customer Satisfaction (C-SAT) score of 5.1 in 2024, above the minimum threshold of 4.2.

The management stated that this score underscored Qwetu’s residents’ increasing satisfaction with both service delivery and the overall living experience, driven by a streamlined onboarding process, revitalized communal areas designed to encourage interaction, and thoughtfully curated resident events that deepened community connections.

Student dignified living is back. And you can invest in the future of student housing as early as now through Vuka Investment.

Read Also: ‘Landlords’ Of Qwetu And Qejani Earned Record Ksh 1.1 Billion In 2024