Uproar As Kenyatta University Hike Food Prices
Kenyatta University is the most recent government organisation to increase the pricing of food supplied in its stores to reflect growing food prices and transportation expenses as the country continues to struggle with rising living expenses.
Earlier this month, the university’s Office of the Registrar released an updated price list. Notably, chapati has gone up in price from Ksh 10 to Ksh 15, and a cup of tea has gone up in price from Ksh 10 to Ksh 15.
A dish of beans and rice now costs Ksh25, up from Ksh12 previously. In comparison to its former price of Ksh22 during the previous academic year, beef is now one of the most costly dishes at Ksh70.
The new fees were effective as of August 22nd, according to a student leader at the college who spoke with our team.
The most costly items on the menu are chicken and fries (Sh100 apiece), which are followed by a carton of milk (Sh60), beef stew with minced meat (Sh50), mukimo (Sh50), gingheri (Sh40), sausages (Sh40), and mashed potatoes (Sh40).
The distinguished alumni of the college, who contended that the price increases were exorbitant, were equally as enraged by the new price list as the student population was.
They said that the sharp increase hurt students who were already having difficulty getting loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) because of the rising cost of living.
The price of meals in the student canteen has increased at Kenyatta University. “Back then, people would spend only Ksh20 on a complete meal,” a former pupil recalled.
Some students then called for protests to compel the institution’s leadership to lower the rates.
“I take my meals at Mess,” a student lamented, “but the price increase has hurt me.”
“I’ve noticed that the price of school lunches at Kenyatta University has gone up. Paul Otuoma continued, “The economy is terrible, and the chief hustler will claim that he has stabilised the economy.”
Universities have been forced to hike rates due to the rising cost of food and transit, which they had previously received food subsidies for to lower expenses for students.
According to a study from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) at the end of last month, the price of nine staple goods increased by double digits.
Legumes saw the biggest price increase (32.7%) between July 2022 and July 2023, according to the research.
Onions saw the second-highest growth (22,2%), after peas (13,9%), potatoes (9,1%), and carrots (8,1%).
Citrus (7.7%), fresh flavoured bottled milk (6.6%), cabbages (6.5%), and cowpeas (4.9%) are more food items that saw large price rises.
Uproar As Kenyatta University Hike Food Prices
