Difficult economic times continue to be felt among Nakuru residents. It seems even university students have not been spared.

University students who term themselves as comrades use the phrase ‘kuinama’, referring to how they skip meals due to financial constraints.

Comrades are people that either depend on their parents or start a side hustle while juggling school work in order to make a living.

However, in the face of the high cost of living, most students have managed to come up with coping skills to survive in their daily lives.

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Stephen Waithiru, a third year student from St Paul university has found a way around the economic crisis that is forcing many students, including himself, to miss meals in order to save money for other necessities, such as fare.

Waithiru says “Most times I only feed on a heavy supper to save fare for commuting on a daily basis from Njoro to Nakuru. Kuinama lunchtime ni lazima (missing lunch is a norm for me).”

Nevertheless, Waithiru who is a rapper has resulted to selling a single verse song at Sh500.

In addition, he also sells socks to his fellow students at Sh100, making a profit of Sh 50, for every pair of socks.

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Mary Wanja, a first year student at the same University also affirms herself as a comrade where she only feeds heavy breakfast.

Mary Wanja, a first year student at St Paul's university in Nakuru.

Photo credit: WINNIE KIMANI/MTAA WANGU

Mary says “While at home I bake and sell cakes, cupcakes and muffins at different prices to sustain myself.”

Mary giggles as she says how university life can be tough for her, as she has other financial obligations to attend to including having money for her basic needs.
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Nakuru university students turn to small businesses to avoid 'kuinama'

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Winnie Kimani