Strathmore plans construction to expand law school

Strathmore University is set to build an eight-storey building to expand its law school which was started three years ago.

The Nairobi-based varsity currently has about 300 law students, and the expansion is set to increase this number to about 500 by 2017.
Construction has already started and is expected to be completed by 2015.

Strathmore says the project will be financed through borrowing and accumulated funds.

The building will have capacity to accommodate 1,000 people, including external tenants.

“The total project cost is Sh440 million. It will be financed through tri-funding systems that also involve the East African Development Bank, donations from school alumni and internal cash,” said Luis Franceschi, the dean at Strathmore’s School of Law in an interview.

The upcoming premise will also host an auditorium, law library, moot court rooms including office space open to law firms and law-related institutions and research centres.

“The income raised from the let offices will boost our scholarship programme to the needy students who  may want  to study at the University and also use part of cash to supplement our expenditure,” said Mr Franceschi.

The quest for higher education has of late seen most universities expand their infrastructure to accommodate the high number of the students seeking places in the local universities.

Zetech University announced in November that it is setting up a Sh1 billion learning centre in Ruiru, indicating the heavy investments by both public and private universities that  are seeking expansion  in different parts of the country to accommodate the surging students number.

The planned 15-storey building is being financed by a loan from Barclays Bank. It is expected to save the institution millions of shillings in rental fees.

Mount Kenya University (MKU) also recently bought Union Towers in the central business district for Sh800 million from former President Mwai Kibaki to host its growing students base.

READ: Kibaki sells Nairobi’s Union Towers to varsity for Sh800m

KCA University is also finalising the completion of a multi-million shilling building along Thika Road that apart from hosting student learning centres will also be open to corporates seeking office space.

The University of Nairobi is also constructing a 22-storey complex valued at Sh2.3 billion to meet increased demand for academic and administrative facilities at the main campus.

The varsity is financing the building from internal funds and donations. Businessman Manu Chandaria contributed Sh125 million to the project.

Kenyatta University has also been on an expansion spree to accommodate its increasing numbers on its main campus along Thika Road.

Rapid expansion of both public and private universities has created huge demand for students accommodation amid inadequate supply of hostels.