VIDEO: 'Chafua': the cheap meal that's a craze among university students

Chafua, a Kiswahili word for ‘dirtify’ takes on a whole new meaning when you visit eateries at universities.

If you visit an eatery at many universities in Nairobi and say chafua, what is going to be presented to you is a plate of chapati and beans soup.

The meal was branded as such because it is a cheap, filling option for many university students on a budget.

Wananchi Reporting visited one of the local universities to find out how students fill their stomachs as they seek to fill their minds with knowledge.

At Multi Media University, comrades – as students usually refer to themselves – get their meals from three  eateries within the institution.

A plate of chips goes for Ksh100, chapati and beans  or ndengu for  Ksh90, chapati, while ugali, sukuma wiki and eggs or omena goes for Ksh110. Refreshments such as fruit juices and yogurt go for between Ksh70-100, while a soda costs Ksh 50. 

Speaking to Wananchi Reporting, a section of students said the price of food is reasonable, compared with ordering food from outside the institution. 

Brian Ndivo, a student, says he enjoys 'chapo dondo' because it is affordable and delicious.

“What’s more, is that we have an app called the chafua app where I’m able to order and have food delivered in the comfort of his room for Ksh20,” he says.

Students living outside school however have the option to cook from their hostels and opt to buy groceries in bulk.

While for a section of students, the prices seem reasonable, ‘comrades’ in other institutions have different opinions on what makes an affordable meal.

A section of students from Kenyatta University, for example, complained following a recent memo with the new prices for food at the mess for 2023/ 2024 academic year.

Ugali costs KES 25, Sukuma KES 10, beans KES 25, rice 25Ksh, chapati KES 15 among others. 

Kenyatta university is not the only public university that has revised its food prices. 

Moi University, Maseno University, Meru University among other public universities have done the same while others are in the process of doing so.