Where to Live

On-Campus Housing

Objectives

To provide quality Housing services and programs that enhance residential student success in a clean, safe and inclusive living-learning environment – a “home away from home”.

Campus Residence Halls

The student halls of residence allow them to live close to instructional and academic support buildings, the dining facility and other university services. Two residential buildings accommodate 258 students on campus. Facilities in the buildings include the Table Tennis/Darts/Pool Room, three TV Rooms and a Study Room.

Facilities

Unlike most colleges, the residence halls provide fully furnished rooms for accommodating two residents in each room. Each room therefore has two beds and mattresses, study tables, chairs and wardrobes. There are communal bathrooms on each floor shared by occupants from four rooms.

A telephone is located on each floor for incoming calls.

Resident Assistants live on each wing to provide assistance and facilitate a positive community experience.

With very limited on-campus housing, priority is therefore first given to international students. Should space permit, students from outside Nairobi City are then considered.

One must be enrolled as a full-time student (9 credits units or more) at USIU-Africa to live in the Residence Halls. Graduate students must take a minimum of 6 credit units to be permitted to stay in the Residence Halls.

Room Reservation

USIU-Africa residence halls provide fully furnished rooms for two students. Each room therefore has two beds and mattresses, study tables, chairs, book shelves, and wardrobes. There are communal bathrooms on each floor shared by occupants from four rooms.
A telephone is located on each floor for incoming calls.
Resident Assistants live on each wing to provide assistance and facilitate a positive community experience.
With very limited on-campus housing, priority in room allocations is given to international students. Should space permit, students from Kenya are then considered. All students who wish to live on campus must fill in a Room Application Form.
To be eligible to live in the Residence Halls, an undergraduate student must be enrolled as a full-time student (9 credits units or more) at USIU-Africa. Graduate students must take a minimum of 6 credit units to be permitted to stay in the Residence Halls.

Check-in / Check-out

When checking into the room, the resident will be required to fill in a check-in form with his/her Resident Assistant. This form will then be checked during checkout and any damages other than normal wear and tear will be the resident’s responsibility.

Contacts

Mr. Geoffrey Onyango,
Housing Officer,
Email: goowino@usiu.ac.ke or housing@usiu.ac.ke
Office Number: +254 730 116 265

Off Campus Housing

Important Information

You are advised to make your reservation through the contact(s) indicated against each hostel.
The hostels are ranked according to distance from USIU-Africa. Hostel No. 1 is the nearest. The distances indicated against each are approximate, and may slightly differ from the actual
Some hostels charge per semester; while others charge per month. Those that charge per month allow their tenants to stay over during semester breaks; those that charge per semester require everyone to vacate at the end of the semester, or pay extra if they extend their stay.
To ensure consistency in service provision, the listed hostels are inspected periodically by a team of students and staff from USIU-Africa.
As a precaution, you are advised not to pay money until you are FULLY convinced about the choice of hostel you make. If in doubt, pay only AFTER visiting the facility of your choice.
If you need further assistance, feel free to get in touch with the Head of Housing - Mr. Geoffrey Onyango on goowino@usiu.ac.ke or Office line: +254 730 116 265
Lastly, USIU-Africa only recommends, but does not manage the off-campus hostels listed below. Consequently, USIU-Africa neither accepts responsibility nor liability for the choice that you make.

Recommended Off-Campus Hostels for USIU-Africa Students

1. Qwetu Student Residences

Smart Student Living
Qwetu Aberdare Heights I & II have 1,297 beds set over eight floors, with views across Nairobi’s iconic skyline.

The buildings are conveniently located at the junction of Mirema road and USIU road just 5-minute walk from USIU-Africa and a 10-minute drive from Thika Road Mall (popularly known as TRM). The proximity to your campus means less hustle commuting to university, saving on transport costs, and of course, building a strong student community!

Whether doing physical or online classes, come experience campus life at Qwetu, meet your peers, study, cook, vibe, and watch movies together at our rooftop lounge. You can even join the Basketball and Football team!

Students looking for a home away from home experience or would simply like to get down to their studies can achieve this with the features we provide.

Features:
Fully furnished rooms, generous studying spaces, high speed Wi-Fi for virtual learning, play and lounge areas to socialize with friends, basketball court and a well-equipped gym to help keep you in shape.

For more details please click this link, and remember to use the referral code STU-0014918 when booking.

In the meantime click on the picture below to have a look at our Qwetu Aberdare Heights I. We promise, you will love it!

Paragon Property Valuers and Consultants
Priwanna Hostel
Esanto Hostel
Top Ace Studio Apartments
Gadiel Hostels
San Diego Apartments
Gilgal Mansions
Denluck Apartments
Kisima Melrose Hostels
Regional Centre Training Institute (RCTI) Hostels

For contact details, services provided and charges of each hostel, apartment or mansion, kindly download and view the list of the recommended of-campus hostels below.

Related Downloads

2024 Recommended Off-Campus Hostels
English

Category: Brochures

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for on-campus accommodation?
All USIU-Africa applicants (students)
How soon can I receive accommodation after applying for it? And is there a waiting list?
Depends on whether or not you are a local or international applicant. International applicants get priority. Yes, there is a Waiting List
How can I go about applying for accommodation as student/faculty?
Students – Fill and submit a Room Application Form. This form is available online or can be picked from the Admissions Office

Faculty – apply through their respective Deans
How many students and faculty can USIU-Africa accommodate?
Students – 256

Faculty - 15
Does the Room Application expire?
Yes, it does - 1 year after the date of application
What happens if I still do not have a room after 1 year from the date of application?
Please reapply for a position.
What is the cost of accommodation on campus?
KES. 30,000
Are there single or double rooms?
All rooms are double (twin beds)
What facilities are provided in a room?
Bed, mattress, study chair & table, wardrobe, book shelf
What are the leisure facilities offered in the USIU-Africa hostels?
Two TV rooms, indoor games and board games
How is the security for students or faculty who stay on campus?
Excellent. Hostel entrances are staffed by hostel receptionists round the clock, seven days a week
If I am staying on campus, what are the numbers I can call in case of emergency?
Ext. 262, 202, 327, 279, 266 – all available 24 hours a day
Can I have guests over when staying on campus?
We do not allow guests who are not members of our community
How many guests are allowed at a time, and is there a curfew?
The is no specific maximum number of guests within reason. The curfew time is from 10.30 p.m. to 8.00 a.m.
Who cleans the rooms, and how often?
Room attendants clean each room once a week. All public areas are cleaned daily.
Am I required to pay for the campus meal plan?
The campus meal plan is optional.
Where can I do my laundry?
In the Laundry Cubicles provided for in the hostels, or in the University Laundry (for a fee)
Where is the housing office located on campus?
In the New Block Hostel, Ground Floor