Life outside the Moi university campus accommodation.

After first year at Moi university, one is required to make private arrangements for accommodation as there is no guarantee one can get hostel accommodation. Life in the little center known as Stage has its merits and demerits. Different issues affect students that live outside campus. But first why would one leave cheap, convenient (close to lecture halls) accommodation and decide to make their own arrangements?

Why?

If you have been an undergraduate student at Moi university you are definitely familiar with their hostel accommodation situation. Yes, it’s a situation. The only advantage I could authoritatively mention now is the prices are very friendly compared to private accommodation. However, the place doesn’t have the best security. One has to live in constant fear of their things. This especially because one is grouped with three other total strangers who you have no idea if you can trust with your belongings not to mentions their friends who are constantly around. The hygiene especially in the lavatories and bathrooms. I have seen things I would have preferred not to. And worst of all the BEDBUGS. They make life hell and they never go away. Never. When bedtime came one would be overcome by a sadness knowing what was to come. One would only go back to university accommodation if it was absolutely necessary.

How is the life?

Rent is a prevailing issue. Rooms don’t have a wide range of rent. It generally ranges from KS. 3000 to KS. 10,000 monthly depending on the features available and the type of house. House types include single rooms which are usually the cheapest, bedsitters, one-bedroom and two-bedroom houses usually the most expensive. Houses cheaper than single rooms do exist but I figure they are not for students. Landlords have gotten into the habit of collecting a semester’s worth of rent at once inconveniencing everyone. This makes the houses less affordable. For example, a single room at KS. 3000 would translate to KS. 12,000 per four-month semester which the landlord would require in full for you to move in to the house. This presents a huge issue. Some students opt to pair up and share the rent cost.

Food is relatively more expensive at Stage compared to say, home. However, it’s always enough for everyone. I have not heard of a time there wasn’t enough food around. The locals do a good job in supplying vegetables but they are not cheap however. Foods that are not grown around are shipped in. This does not make them cheap nonetheless. Most people who live at Stage cook their own meals. Eateries are usually for those living within the university hostels and when one feels too lazy to cook. They range according to the type of food they serve which also determines how expensive they are. The less expensive serve food in larger quantities than the more expensive ones. However, their hygiene is not the best or the condition of the building.

Security is not bad. Cases of insecurity have reduced though they still exist. Some do even go unreported. Cases of muggings have happened. Phones and electronics get stolen. Most neighbourhoods are secure. Some compounds have enacted hours which the main gate is open, mostly 5:30 A.M. to 11 P.M. Armed robberies are unheard of. There is a police station nearby at Kesses which is a few minutes out. The university security is around and I doubt they would ignore a security case involving a student of the university on grounds that it’s not on campus.

Social life at Stage is not what it would be if it were more developed nonetheless there are joints to hangout. There are clubs that sell alcohol and blast loud music. There are numerous pool joints where one can go to enjoy a game of pool after class (or during). For all you football fans there are tons of places that show your favourite games at any time of the day. For video game fans, there are plenty of joints one can go and play a video game, including football, car racing, basketball and arcade games, at an affordable price.

Rain is one of the many demerits of Stage. The small town is not at all tarmacked. When the rainy season comes it is very muddy. Going to class is a hustle. Carefully navigating through the muddy roads trying to not get your clothes dirty or fall which would be very embarrassing. Shoes get muddy all the time. The rain can also hinder you from attending classes as it rains very hard and gets very cold.

As I said earlier, living at stage has its merits and demerits but at the end of the day you live there only if you can afford to. It is a good alternative to the university hostel accommodation.