The National government through the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, has handed over the construction site for the Alupe University accommodation project to the contractor.
Speaking during the site handover at Alupe University, Leonard Marwa, an architect from the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, said the project, which will cost Sh1.17 billion, entails the construction of two blocks with a total accommodation of 820 students.
“The hostels, when done, will accommodate a total number of 820 students from the two blocks. This will reduce the congestion and solve the issue of student accommodation in the university,” he said.
He added that the project, which will start in two weeks’ time, will include other amenities other than the hostels.
“The project will cost a total of Sh 1.17 billion and is expected to be completed in a period of 18 months. We are also going to have a swimming pool for the students, basketball courts and parking space,” he said.
In terms of security, Marwa said that they will construct a boundary wall and install CCTV cameras within the block.
Alupe University vice chancellor Prof. Peter Barasa said the project will enable the institution to provide better accommodation to their students, promising to work closely with the contractors.
Prof. Barasa further urged the contractor to consider constructing a permanent fence, stating that security has remained a challenge due to their being at the border point.
“We have security challenges because we are at the border. We have tried chain link fences but they have been destroyed. We really need to have a constructed border fence that will ensure that the whole institution is secure,” he said.
Rony Kipkorir, a student leader at Alupe University, said the project brings an assurance to the students’ security and their well-being.
“Residing outside has remained very expensive for us and it has exposed us to insecurity where many of us have lost electrical gadgets and our lives have always been in danger. We are really grateful to the president for choosing Alupe University for the project.
The project contractor, Venus Construction Limited, gave an assurance of the quality of work and delivery of the project on time as stipulated in the contract.
“I also want to state that we are going to source all the manpower from this area. Our young men who qualify will be given an opportunity to work here on this project so that they can benefit,” he said.
By Rodgers Omondi and Miah Maureen Kemunto
