Egerton University students will pay more for sharing rooms following the institution increasing its hostel fees and damage charges. Chief Halls Officer Judith Ofula says that new regulations will increase the cost of sharing a room to KSh10,000 per student or KSh20,000 for a couple. With these prices, it is therefore comparable to that of renting a two-bedroom apartment in middle-class estates in Nakuru City.
Previously, students could stay in hostels with fees ranging from KSh2,500 to KSh6,600. The new rates have, however, sharply raised the cost of living in university accommodations. It also introduced steep fines for damages, such as a KSh1,000 charge for light bulb holders or sockets, previously costing KSh100.
Other introduced penalties include the fine for cooking in hostels, which now attracts eviction in addition to KSh5,000. Boiling of water increased 100 per cent to KSh2,000, subletting rooms increased to KSh10,000 as well as hosting visitors with damaged furniture and other items attracting charges of between KSh2,000 and KSh17,400 depending on the item.
The hikes have frustrated students to a great extent, with many resulting in cohabitation as a way of cutting down on the living cost. Concerns are raised over the financial burden and health risks imposed by new regulations, especially in this cold climate of Njoro.
The fee hike was approved in the 198th meeting of the University Council on August 2. The university is strained financially, hence the drastic measure to increase these fees so that the budget and facilities can be well maintained.