Students Outcry as University Cafeterias Implements Food Price Hike [LIST]

Students Outcry as University Cafeterias Implements Food Price Hike [LIST]

As the nation continues to struggle with the rising cost of living, Kenyatta University is the latest government institution to revise the prices of food sold in its stores to account for the increase in the price of food items and transportation costs.

Moi University, Maseno University, and Meru University, among other public universities, have followed suit, and others are in the process of doing the same.

Hannington Kahawa, a former student leader at Kenyatta University, told Wananchi Reporting that it is impossible to study and sleep on an empty diet.

The university’s Office of the Registrar has recently published an updated pricing list. Notably, the price of chapati has increased from Ksh10 to Ksh15, and the price of a cup of tea has increased from Ksh10 to Ksh15.

In addition, the price of a serving of beans and rice has doubled, from Ksh12 to Ksh25. Beef is now one of the most expensive dishes at Ksh70, which represents a significant increase from its previous price of Ksh22 during the previous academic year.

A number of Kenyans and former students took to X (previously Twitter) to describe how things have changed over the years, with some recalling when they could purchase, among other meals, ugali for KES 7, sukuma for KES 5, rice for KES 12, and chapati for KES 10.

However, another group of people stated that it is unrealistic to expect food prices from decades ago to remain unchanged, adding that the prices are still very reasonable.

A student leader at the institution confirmed that the new rates went into affect on August 22.

Chicken and fries, each priced at Ksh100, are the most expensive items on the menu, followed by a carton of milk (Ksh60), beef, minced meat stew (Ksh50), Mukimo (Ksh50), Githeri (Ksh40), sausages (Ksh40), and mashed potatoes (Ksh40).

The new price list infuriated not only the student body, but also the institution’s esteemed alumni, who argued that the price increases were excessive.

They argued that the precipitous increase was detrimental to students who were already battling to obtain loans from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) due to the rising cost of living.

“Kenyatta University has increased the cost of food in the student canteen. A former student reminisced, “During our time, people would spend only Ksh20 on a complete meal.”

As a result, some of the students called for demonstrations to force the institution’s administration to reduce the prices.

A student lamented, “I take my meals at Mess, but the price increase has hurt me.”

“I’ve noticed that Kenyatta University has increased the cost of school meals. Paul Otuoma added, “The economy is terrible, and the chief hustler will claim that he has stabilized the economy.”

However, the majority of students do not blame universities for rising food prices.

According to some sources interviewed by Wananchi Reporting, universities used to subsidize student dining hall food prices.

“It appears that universities no longer receive sufficient funding from the government, resulting in a decrease in subsidized food,” said Victor Omondi, president of the student organization at Maseno university.

Increase in Food Costs

Universities, which received subsidized food to reduce costs for students, have been compelled to raise prices due to the rising cost of food and transportation.

Nine staple commodities saw double-digit price increases, according to a report from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) at the end of last month.

According to the report, between July 2022 and July 2023, legumes experienced the greatest price increase (32.7%).

Following peas (13,9%), potatoes (9,1%), and carrots (8,1%), onions recorded the second-highest increase (22,2%).

Other food items that experienced significant price increases include citrus (7.7%), fresh flavored packaged milk (6.6%), cabbages (6.5%), and cowpeas (4.9%).

Students Outcry as University Cafeterias Implements Food Price Hike [LIST]