Vihiga: The government, through the Affordable Housing Programme, has awarded tenders for the construction of hostels that will accommodate 1,020 students in three technical institutions in Vihiga County at a cost of approximately Sh445 million. This initiative aims to address the student accommodation shortages by providing secure in-campus housing.

According to Kenya News Agency, the County Director of Housing, Teresia Ooko, announced that the government will build the hostels at Kaimosi Agricultural Training College, Sabatia, and Ebukanga Technical and Vocational Colleges in Tiriki East, Sabatia, and Emuhaya sub-counties respectively. Each hostel is designed to accommodate 340 students.

Ooko further detailed that a contract valued at Sh153,656,910 has been awarded to Pelmark Investment Limited for constructing a hostel at Kaimosi Agricultural Training College. Additionally, contracts of Sh146,127,999 and Sh145,107,999 have been awarded to Restah Company Limited for the construction of similar hostels at Sabatia and Ebukanga Technical and Vocational Colleges.

The Director emphasized that these hostels will allow the beneficiary institutions to increase their Appropriations in Aid. This development is expected to address the pressing accommodation challenge by providing students with secure and affordable housing solutions within their respective campuses.

A second-year ICT student at Sabatia Technical and Vocational College, Osteane Magune, praised the government’s initiative, noting its potential to resolve the accommodation issues. Magune highlighted that the college currently lacks any hostel facilities, forcing all students to commute from outside.

Magune expressed concerns over some students living in insecure environments and others arriving late to classes due to the long distances they travel.