The government is building KMTC hostels. Students are dropping out because they can't pay fees.

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya publicly condemned the government's emphasis on KMTC infrastructure development, arguing it fails to address students' pressing financial needs.

"Building hostels at KMTC while students are dropping out over fees feels misplaced. William Ruto, infrastructure is good, but without enough capitation, who will even fill those hostels? Support students first, then expand," Salasya stated.

His comments came right after President Ruto laid the foundation stone for new hostels at Nyamache KMTC in Kisii County — during the same visit where learners appealed directly to the President about delayed and insufficient HELB disbursement.

Here's the actual cost reality students are dealing with, verified directly from KMTC's official fee structure:

Shared hostel accommodation costs Ksh30,000 per semester. A single room costs Ksh50,000 per semester. That's before tuition, exam fees, activity fees, transport fees, maintenance fees, and research fees — which together add several thousand more per semester.

For a student whose HELB hasn't been disbursed, or whose family can't cover the balance — a new hostel building doesn't change their immediate reality. It's a room they still can't afford to occupy.

The uncomfortable question:

Is building more hostels the right priority when existing students can't afford to stay enrolled? Or does better accommodation eventually reduce costs and improve access in the long run?

Both arguments have merit. Neither fully solves the problem alone.

What do you think — should the government prioritize direct student funding over infrastructure right now? Drop your honest take below