Innovations In Student Accommodation In Kenya

Abstract

There are currently very few studies on residential life of college and university students in Kenya, whether on or off campus. Most studies have focused mostly on classroom and classroom-related activities, with a number on safety and security of students in off campus accommodation. Student residences in Kenya are not only scarce, but have limited sleeping, eating, study and entertainment. This study was to establish key innovations to be included in new student residences that cater to the needs and preferences relevant to the Kenyan student today. The research objective was to establish: the students‟ preferred accommodation; analyse the spatial distribution of college student accommodation; and identify the key innovations in student accommodation in Kenya. The study, based on the concept of innovation, attempted to approach innovation in student accommodation from four perspectives: product innovation (design and amenities); process innovation (management and administrative process); social innovation (community and residence life programs); and business model innovation (collaborative development models). The study adopted exploratory and descriptive survey. A sample of 392 students from five private and public universities and colleges in Nairobi was selected using stratified sampling. 392 questionnaires were administered and the 325 responses formed the basis for data analysis. The self-administered questionnaire was designed around eight key factors: location, safety and security, architectural appeal, facilities and amenities, privacy, community life, connectivity and rental cost, and comprised of both open-ended and close-ended questions. The research instrument was piloted for validity and reliability before it was fully administered to the respondents. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 23 and was presented in the form of tables. Descriptive statistical method was then used to explain the data. Factor analysis was also performed to determine the influence the factors under investigation on students accommodation preferences. The study established that, compared to established student accommodation markets like the United Kingdom where the concept of purpose built student accommodation is established, tertiary institutions and private student housing developers in Kenya have not adequately factored in the needs and preferences of the student today, so as to build accommodation units that cater to their needs. From the findings, ranking highest in the 8-factor analysis as the most important is location (proximity to campus) and attributes of neighborhood, followed by safety and security. The study also found out that: various amenities previously seen as luxuries have become part and parcel of the student life in Kenya today, e.g. the internet, washer-dryer facilities, and convenience shops among others; rental cost is just as important; connectivity is crucial to the students desire to reach out to the world; students prefer to have few roommates and where possible stay alone; the Kenyan student prefers buildings with the latest architectural design that is appealing, trendy and homey. The study also found that student today has high regards for privacy and are willing to pay more just to have their privacy maintained. Lastly, the study also found that community experience is very important to modern student as witnessed by high number of students involved in community activities. The study recommends that while filling the current gaps in the accommodation provision, learning institutions and private accommodation providers must work independently or collaborate in putting up student housing that cater to the needs and preferences of students. The study also recommends that the Government of Kenya works with student accommodation stakeholders in creating policies to improve and standardize student accommodation in Kenya.