Raymond Omollo, the Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration, who oversees coordination and implementation of national government projects. Faith Matete The National Government is investing more than Sh5.7 billion in the construction of student hostels across institutions of higher learning in Kisumu County in a move aimed at addressing accommodation shortages and improving the learning environment.
The programme, being implemented under the Institutional Housing Projects initiative, will provide more than 8,300 bed spaces in universities, technical colleges and vocational training institutions spread across the county.
The investment forms part of the Kenya Kwanza administration's efforts to strengthen education infrastructure and support the growing number of students enrolling in institutions of higher learning.
Among the biggest beneficiaries is Uzima University, which is set to receive hostels with a capacity of 2,640 beds at a cost of Sh1.45 billion.
The project is at the design stage and ready for advertisement.
Kisumu National Polytechnic will also benefit from a Sh948.6 million project that will deliver 1,720 bed spaces, while Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology is set to receive another 1,720-bed hostel project of similar value.
The Ramogi project has already been awarded, and the contractor has handed over the site.
Maseno University will get 1,160 additional bed spaces through a Sh631.5 million project that has been awarded and is scheduled for handover.
Several Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have also been included in the programme.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya Medical Training College, Nyang'oma Technical and Vocational College, Nyakach Technical and Vocational College and Seme Technical and Vocational College will each receive hostels accommodating 580 students.
Nyando Technical and Vocational College will benefit from a 360-bed hostel project worth Sh158.8 million, while Ng'eny Technical and Vocational College is earmarked for a similar facility.
Raymond Omollo, the Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration, who oversees coordination and implementation of national government projects, said the investment underscores the government's commitment to improving education infrastructure and ensuring students have access to decent accommodation.
"The Kenya Kwanza administration is committed to ensuring that students across the country have access to safe, decent and affordable accommodation”, said Omollo
The PS noted that these hostel projects will help address the shortage of student housing, improve the learning environment and support the growth of our institutions of higher learning in Kisumu County and beyond.
He said adequate accommodation is essential in enhancing students' welfare and academic performance, adding that the hostels will be developed alongside supporting amenities and infrastructure.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the government's investment, saying the additional accommodation will help address a long-standing shortage of hostel facilities in many institutions across the county.
They noted that increasing enrolment in universities and technical colleges has put pressure on existing housing, forcing many students to seek accommodation in informal settlements and private hostels, often at high costs.
They further said the construction of modern hostels is expected to improve students' welfare, security and academic performance by providing affordable and conducive living spaces closer to learning institutions.
The stakeholders also expressed optimism that the projects will create employment opportunities during construction and stimulate economic activity in the surrounding communities.
The projects come as the government intensifies development initiatives across the Nyanza region, with investments in housing, roads, markets and education infrastructure expected to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
Once completed, the hostels are expected to ease pressure on existing accommodation facilities and reduce the cost burden on students who rely on private housing away from their campuses.
