Investors and residents in Kangema constituency have been urged to seize the opportunity presented by the rapid growth of student population at the newly established KMTC Kangema Campus and the Michuki National Polytechnic in the area.
Speaking during an investors forum convened by the Kenya national chamber of commerce and industry in Kangema, the area member of parliament Peter Kihungi urged investors and residents to build more hostels so as to accommodate the students from the KMTC Kangema Campus, which is growing exponentially barely one after its establishment.
Kihungi noted that the institution is recording fast growth in student enrollment and the demand for affordable student housing will only intensify in the coming intakes.
“We have close to 300 students already, and only recently the government has allowed the school to offer diplomas in nursing and clinical medicine, that means more student population and a high demand for affordable student housing,” he said
The MP also disclosed that Michuki National Polytechnic, is expected to admit 10,000-15,000 students in the next intake.
“This surge will not only put strain on the already limited facilities, but also housing options in the area, thus I urge you all to move with speed and build more hostels for our students,” he said.
At the same time, he encouraged local residents with un- occupied houses to consider converting them into hostels to help ease the pressure by offering the students a safe and secure place to stay as they earn an income.
The legislator assured students of a peaceful and secure learning environment, pledging that his office will continue working with local leaders and the security agencies to so as to ensure safety.
He urged security officers to be on the look out to protect the students from harmful influences like drug use and criminal behavior.
The chair Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Murang’a Chapter Dr. Naomi Kagone on her part, called on investors to partner with them so as to build the hostels for the students, currently staying far away from the school.
The growth of the institutions, presents an economic opportunity not just for the house owners, but also for the local business people, who can provide services and goods to meet the student’s needs.
“From food joints, salons, stationary and the local transport, this community will grow rapidly in the coming days, so let us position ourselves to benefit from that growth,” she stated.
The Principal, Kangema KMTC, Dr. Evelyn Nyamai, observed that the students will offer services in the nearby hospitals, thereby benefiting the community, especially now that they had been allowed to offer diplomas in nursing and clinical medicine.
“The student population is set to rise with the introduction of these two courses and investors need to move with speed and lay plans of offering affordable and safe student housing,” she said.
“We thank the investors who are already offering accommodation to our students because so far we have not had any incidents,” added Nyamai.
The nearby hospitals will also benefit from the institution because that is where the students will be offering their services.
By Florence Kinyua
