For most students, dining is no longer about choice but survival. Campus cafeterias that once buzzed with activity now stand half-empty, as students turn to cheap roadside meals or cook in hostels. “We cook together to save money. One person buys onions, another brings flour, that’s how we manage,” said a second-year student.
It’s evident in hostels and around student markets where small food stalls, or kibandas, have become lifelines. Vendors offer chapati, beans, and smoky chips at low prices. “I sell food on credit sometimes because I know students are broke,” said a food vendor near a campus gate.
Why are students struggling?
Many come from families that can barely afford to send upkeep money. After paying rent and buying basic supplies, most have nothing left for proper meals. “Some days I just take black tea and sleep. You can’t study well, but what choice do you have?” said a third-year student.
How are students coping?
They form small food-sharing groups, cook with charcoal stoves in hostels, or rely on cheap snacks. Some even skip meals to save money for exams and printing notes. A student added, “We don’t eat for comfort anymore, we eat to stay alive.”Students say yes. Food prices on campus are too high for their budgets, turning eating well into a privilege rather than a routine.
Can anything be done to change this?
Nutrition experts warn that poor diets lead to low concentration, fatigue, and declining academic performance. “Hunger may not make noise, but it silently kills focus and motivation,” said one health expert. Economic analysts suggest affordable meal programs, flexible HELB schedules, and small kitchen grants for students living off campus.
A youth welfare expert said, “The situation among university students is more serious than people think. Some attend morning classes without breakfast, and by afternoon, they can barely concentrate.”A nutrition specialist added, “Skipping meals is becoming normal for students. It’s dangerous because it affects mental health, immunity, and academic productivity.”A financial counselor observed, “We assume campus life is about freedom, but for many young people, it’s survival. They are learning to budget hunger, not money.”
Behind the laughter and bright dreams, students across Kenya are fighting a quiet battle against hunger. They chase knowledge on empty stomachs, hoping tomorrow will bring a better meal and a better future. As one student put it, “We study hard because education is our only way out, but hunger follows us every day.”
By Modester Nasimiyu