Machakos University Signs Landmark MoU with National Housing Corporation (NHC) to Launch a Student Housing Project

Machakos University (MksU) has taken a major step toward addressing student housing and advancing sustainable development through a new strategic partnership with the National Housing Corporation (NHC). This historic collaboration was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking Machakos University as the first university in Kenya to directly benefit from NHC’s government-backed housing initiatives.

Present during the MoU signing were top leadership from both institutions comprising of Machakos University Council, the University Management and the Board of Directors from National Housing Corporation.

At the heart of this partnership is a student hostel project, which seeks to address the growing challenge of inadequate and insecure student accommodation. The new hostels, designed to house over 3,000 students, will be constructed in phases over the next few years.

The partnership extends beyond infrastructure, and represents a broader framework to implement several collaborative initiatives;

• Academic collaboration in research, grant proposals, and capacity building.
• Technological integration through MksU’s versatile ICT infrastructure, particularly in Building Information Modeling (BIM).
• Utilization of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene System) technology produced by NHC’s leading facility in East Africa.

Speaking at the event, the NHC Board Chairperson praised MksU for its bold, forward-thinking initiative. The CEO, NHC also noted that the collaboration will be a model of how academia and government can co-create lasting solutions to national challenges.

This partnership is a fitting celebration as MksU prepares to mark 10 years since its elevation to University status during the 10^th Graduation ceremony to be held in November 2025, and over 70 years since its establishment in 1957.

Already recognized for its niche in engineering and innovation, MksU is home to the first Luban Workshop in Kenya, developed in partnership with China, and continues to shine globally — recently clinching 1st place in the Global Huawei ICT Challenge.

Through this MoU, students will gain not only secure housing but also access to hands-on, practical training that aligns with Kenya’s national development goals.