In the heart of Moi University, a section of students are developing a liking for informal settlements in 'mabs', the short form for Mabatini, the Swahili word for iron sheet, over hostels.
The students are forfeiting life in cosy hostel rooms and other modern settlements around the 'stage' for the faraway area mainly encroached upon by locals.
Speaking to Nation, a number of these students who have found an abode in the area have outlined some of the reasons why they prefer the area, and one of them is the cheap lifestyle that comes with it.
Gilianns Wawire, a student at the School of Arts and Social Sciences, has shared insights on the affordability of life in Mabs area compared to living in the Stage area or the university hostels.
According to Wawire, rent in Mabs is significantly lower, and food is available in larger portions at affordable prices, making it an ideal choice for students looking to save money.
Additionally, Wawire dispelled common misconceptions about security in the area, emphasising that despite the misconceptions, Mabs is a safe place to live. She noted that residents can comfortably walk around as late as 11pm without fear of being attacked.
''Security in Mabs is much better than in Stage because people tend to assume that those living in Stage have money, which leads to more insecurity cases there. However, Mabs remains a safe place," Wawire stated.
Japheth Okomon, a third-year student in the School of Education, explains that living in Mabs is a way of giving back to the community. He notes that the landlords rely on student tenants for rent income, which helps them support their families financially.
Okomon further highlights that the quiet environment in Mabs makes it an ideal place for serious students who want to focus on their studies, unlike the noisy atmosphere commonly found in the Stage area and university hostels.
However, life in Mabs is not as rosy as it sounds; they also face challenges like distance and scrambling for resources with locals. The distance between where the classes are and Mabs is quite far, forcing them to wake up earlier to catch up with classes.
While they have an opportunity to venture into businesses in Mabs, it's not as easy, as they have to scramble for the resources with the locals.
There is also the challenge of peer pressure to get into 'changaa' drinking, which is common in the area and among the locals.
