How Chuka University awakened sleepy Ndagani village market

Ndagani, the home to a giant steady and rapidly growing Chuka University was just a humble and desolate rural village market.

The village market has now transformed into a blossoming modern town against many odds and people from all over have invested heavily in real estate, shops, restaurants, hospitality entities, rentals and many more.

Ndagani, that is about five (5) kilometers from Chuka town has not only changed fortunes for students but also the community at large.

Chuka town seems to be moribund while the tallest buildings at Ndagani are competing for the sky.

Some business-minded students of adult age have found a haven of making money thus gaining their independence from disturbing their parents or guardians seeking to settle their basic needs bills.

Some are employed, others have established their own businesses.

Students' Association President Evans Mashanga said the university has created an enabling environment to conduct businesses, created employment for comrades, thus economic growth of Ndagani.

"I am very glad to be part of growth of Chuka University as a law student. We have integrated very well with the community. The institution has led immense growth and developments of this community. There has been a very cohesive relationship. The businesses established here like Zero plus has 20 employees who are students at the University. We really thank the business community," Mr Mashanga said.

Mr Mashanga however lamented that comrades ran businesses are dependent on HELB loan and once the funds disbursement are delayed, it hurts and creates a crisis because they have no cash to inject into their businesses.

Mr Mashanga appealed to Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki and the national government to install more street lights to curb theft and other insecurity related incidents.

"We experience insecurity challenges. We suffer drugs and substance abuse, making some students drop out of studies due to influence of the substances. We would love installation of more street lights because security for comrades is very pivotal," Mr Mashanga said.

Mr Mashanga warned that the institution will blacklist hostels that lack adequate water and sanitation which are very key components for any residential area.

"As student, we have been able to handle intelligence issues before they escalate. Chuka University enjoys a population of 22,377. 1,645 are in the university's hostels, while 21,000 reside around the hostels built at Ndagani. Water has never lacked in the institution for more than one day. As a union, it is our mandate to implement these measures before enrollment begins this September," Mr Mashanga said.

On strike, he said, constitution gives a right to protest but it also has limitation to be peaceful.

"In Chuka University, we have averted successfully demos because we believe no solutions will be achieved in the streets, but solutions are given on the table where people negotiate, through embracing dialogue conversations," he said.

Mr Mashanga said the new funding model has come at a time when comrades feel left out.

"It is an outcry and as student leaders, we need to be empowered to enlighten fellow comrades that this is what the model envisages. VC Mutembei is very accommodative and understanding. I can easily reach out to the VC and we solve emerging problems. This has made it easy to avert any strike at Chuka University," he said.

Former Chuka University Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Erastus Njoka associated the growth of Ndagani to 62-year-old Jerusha Kanyua's prophecy.

Current and former students have paid accolades to both former VC and current VC Prof Henry Mutembei.

Mzee Kanyua had predicted that a mountain would spring in the village.

From this mountain, according to the prophecy, birds from all parts of the world would perch and leave contended.

This prophecy started being fulfilled in 1956, when an art centre was established at Ndagani. It was supposed to teach Africans how to build modern houses and equip young people with skills in masonry and carpentry.

In 1969, the art center was transformed into a village polytechnic.

It served Ndagani in the same capacity for the next 36 years, until August 1, 2005 when Egerton University chose to establish Eastern constituent Campus College.

It only had 24 students then. Today, Chuka University boosts of more than 22000 students and hundreds of University staff.

It has the Tharaka constituent branch.

Brian Ondera, a third year Journalism and communications student, who owns a Massage parlous,  Kinyozi/Salon and cosmetics shop said he makes Sh40, 000 per month and a minimum of Sh20,000 when not in session

"I started it three years ago.  I was helped by my lecturer. I had only Sh25000 from HELB money and after sharing my intentions to own a shop, the lecturer gave me another Sh25,000. I have a friend who runs it when I have a lesson," he said.

He highlighted challenges are that when students are on holidays, it is impossible to meet electricity and rent bills.

"The community is very cosmopolitan and very welcoming. Some are former students who I even take credit on them.

Asked whether he would concentrate on making money through his business rather than continuing with his career, he noted that ''it has been my dream to be a Journalist since childhood''.

He added that having a business has helped him have sense of protection to people businesses and he is always ready to safeguard someone's property like his.

Felicitas Kemuto, a second year student pursuing a course in Tourism Management, said she started a chapati and smokies selling joint in September 2023.

"It has great profit, I established using Sh20,000 that my mum and sister helped me to raise. It helps me meet my needs and to settle my bills. I also support my parents. In a good day, I make a profit of Sh700 and a minimum of Sh500," Ms Kemunto said.

She added that students and business community relate very well but most a times she faces challenges such as lack of space to operate.

"It requires you to stay occupying your place permanently. Security is another challenge especially theft of money or phones where idol youths intercept and steal all of one's belongings. It also demands one to rent a costly house inside the University compound to escape such scenarios," she said.

Geoffrey Onyango, an engineering student and the Speaker of the Congress said as young scientists, they deal with technology where most of students in Chuka University are involved in installing CCTVs, WI-FI especially Mawingu WI-FI which is solely owned by a student from the University.

"Most comrades who depend on HELB are not able to proceed with their businesses due to delay in disbursement of the funds. We need more streetlights to curb rape cases and attack on students," Mr Onyango said.