Applicability of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for student accommodation in institutions of higher learning in Kenya

The demand for infrastructure and academic programmes in Kenyan Universities has been on an upward trajectory because of increased enrollment in institutions of higher learning. The government financing of infrastructure and academic programmes has been affected by the prevailing debt crisis, inadequate resource mobilization strategies, and dwindling public sector budgetary options, hence need to play balancing act for various demands for running a modern state, hence high demand for higher education with little corresponding investment in student accommodation. Students contend with outside accommodation which is not conducive for efficient and effective learning. Countries like UK, USA and South Africa provide student accommodation through comprehensive policy formulations advocating for student centered apartments or villages implemented through leasing schemes and Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). The main objective of this study was to highlight the applicability of PPPs to address student accommodation challenges in Kenya, with a case study of Nairobi Metropolitan region. Data was collected through administration of questionnaires to key institutions, from which qualitative analysis and conclusions were made. The finding is that PPPs, when structured in an effective manner and alignment of the public and private sector interests, are applicable for the student accommodation. The conclusion is that PPPs are applicable for student accommodation in Kenya. The recommendation is for the institutions of higher learning to utilize PPPs for the provision of student accommodation in Kenya. The major implication of greater use of PPPs for student accommodation is that the quality of education will improve significantly in the country. Key words: Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), student accommodation, Nairobi Metropolitan, higher institutions of learning, public and private entities.