UoN caves to student protests, cuts hostel charges by 50pc
Education
By
David Njaaga
| Aug 06, 2025
University of Nairobi main campus in Nairobi, where management announced a 50 per cent cut in hostel fees for the 2025/26 academic year. [File, Standard]
The University of Nairobi has halved hostel accommodation fees for the 2025/26 academic year after sustained pressure from students, despite the move creating a projected Sh 151 million budget deficit.
This comes barely a week after the University of Nairobi (UoN) bowed to pressure on on-campus accommodation costs, announcing plans to review them downwards.
In a memo to students, UoN’s management said a meeting held on July 29 adopted a report on reviewing the hostel fees and promised the outcome would be communicated by August 6.
“The recommendations are being processed for final approval by various governance organs of the University,” the memo by John Orindi, the university’s Director of Corporate Affairs, read in part.
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“We implore all students to understand that university decisions are guided by various policies and regulations which must be adhered to.”
The move followed public outcry over a sharp increase in hostel charges, which had risen to more than Sh 40,000 per year as of August last year.
Last week, the university’s student association threatened to shut down the institution unless the fees were reverted to Sh 6,000.
“We are here because we are in pain and have nowhere to sleep. We are here to announce that the University of Nairobi will not admit first-year students this year,” said Troy Rusana, the student body president, in a statement that also warned of disruptions in Nairobi’s Central Business District if the issue was not addressed.
Many other universities have also raised hostel fees, attracting backlash from students, lawmakers and civil society.
Senators asked the Education Ministry to explain the increases and justify university hostel charges amid economic hardship.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna warned that the fee hike risks exposing female students to insecurity.
He called for an audit of hostels’ suitability, repairs and a plan to bridge the gap between students and available spaces.
In the internal memo dated Wednesday, August 6, Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Jesang Hutchinson said the university council approved the 50 per cent reduction to ease the financial burden on students.
Single rooms will now cost Sh 21,500, down from Sh 43,000, while double rooms will go for Sh 15,500, down from Sh 31,000.
“This reduction is valid for only one academic year,” noted Hutchinson.
She noted that while the decision seeks to ease pressure on students, it will leave a financial gap of Sh 151,016,879.29.
“I appeal to students to take good care of the hostels in order to mitigate high maintenance costs,” she noted.