The University of Nairobi (UoN) has begun a formal process to review its student hostel fees following sustained pressure from students and increasing scrutiny from Parliament.
In an internal communication dated July 30, the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, John Orindi, confirmed that the institution’s management had met on July 29 and adopted a report proposing changes to the current accommodation charges.
“The recommendations are being processed for final approval by various governance organs of the University,” the memo stated, noting that students would be officially updated on the decision by Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
The memo, which was circulated to top university leadership — including the Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors, and the Dean of Students — appealed for calm among students and emphasized that all decisions would align with existing institutional policies.
“We implore all students to understand that university decisions are guided by various policies and regulations which must be adhered to,” it read.
This move follows months of student protests and public pressure over what they have labeled “exploitative” hostel charges. The University of Nairobi Students Association (UNSA) had on July 17 threatened to disrupt the upcoming intake process if accommodation fees were not reduced.
According to UNSA, annual hostel charges have surged from KSh6,000 in 2021 to approximately KSh43,000 in 2025 — a steep rise that students argue is unjustified, especially given the deteriorating conditions in the hostels.
This is not the first time the issue has sparked unrest. In September 2024, students took to the streets to protest a hike in semester hostel fees from KSh3,000 to KSh21,000, claiming the cost was unaffordable and not reflective of the quality of facilities provided.
The matter reached the Senate on July 24, when Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna raised concerns over the impact of rising university costs on student welfare. He warned that many students were now being pushed into unsafe informal settlements due to the unaffordable fees.
“Students are being forced into slums because they cannot afford the new hostel rates,” Sifuna told fellow lawmakers, urging the Senate Education Committee to investigate the fee increments.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei supported the call and proposed integrating student accommodation into the government’s Affordable Housing Programme. He described current student housing conditions as dire, citing widespread problems such as bedbug infestations.
“Our comrades are being affected by bedbugs, and this happens at the hub of a serious knowledge engagement and discourse,” he said.
Tensions escalated further on July 21 when students staged a protest march to the Ministry of Education headquarters at Jogoo House, demanding immediate intervention and fee revision.
In response, the Ministry of Education signaled a willingness to mediate. Higher Education Principal Secretary Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, speaking on July 22, encouraged dialogue between university administrators and student representatives.
“We want to encourage the students to come to the table. Our experience has been that when we bring the student leaders to the table, we always resolve these issues very amicably,” she said.
As the university awaits final approval of the proposed changes, students and lawmakers alike are watching closely to see if the institution will act on what has become a national concern.
