Women's hostel at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) has been refurbished with wide ranging improvements.

Subsequently the contractor Tello Company officially handed over the facility back to the University Administration on Thursday of March 13, 2025.

The refurbishment worth 19,140,870, aimed at improving the living conditions and overall well-being of female students, commenced in June 2024 and concluded in February 2025.

During the eight months of works, the contractor undertook comprehensive overhaul of the hostel, transforming it into a modern, comfortable, and secure living space.

TUM Vice Chancellor Prof Laila Abubakar graced the handover ceremony.

She noted that the renovation brief emphasized on both accessibility and safety, which has resulted to a comprehensive transformation of the girls' hostel.

The contractors said they paid meticulous attention to detail which, among other things, involved the replacement of outdated grills with modern vents to optimize air circulation, the strategic installation of an exit gate to ensure rapid evacuation during emergencies, the creation of a dedicated janitor area to uphold consistent hygiene standards, and the thorough modification of the entire hostel to accommodate Persons Living with Disabilities.

The latter thus entailed making the toilets and laundry easily accessible, creating ramps to ease wheelchair mobility, among other things.

To further enhance the security of the building, Professor Abubakar has directed the security department to install CCTV cameras and tighten security measures to prevent vandalism and ensure the safety of the residents.

Tello Company formally presented the refurbished building to Architect Onesmus Mwatu, the Chairperson of the TUM Contract Implementation Committee, who in turn, handed over the keys and official documentation to Professor Laila Abubakar.

The VC lauded the contract implementation team and Tello Company for their exceptional work. "We are immensely pleased with the quality of work delivered," she stated. 

"This refurbished hostel represents a significant investment in our students' well-being, and we are confident that it will contribute to their academic success.

"We are proud to have created a hostel that is not only comfortable but also inclusive and safe," Professor Abubakar stated.

She pointed out that special design modifications meant to accommodate PWDs were part of the TUM commitment to ensuring that all students have equal access to the University facilities and resources.

Prof Laila also thanked various University staff and other stakeholders, alongside Tello Company, for their smooth collaboration in the project.

She also praised the University council for having approved the project despite financial constraints that currently face the Institution, like many others in the country. 

Prof Joseph Rasowo, TUM Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance, and Planning, also graced the occasion. 

He too appreciated the University Council for allocating resources. He lauded the collaboration of the staff and stakeholders.

Students present at the ceremony expressed their overwhelming appreciation for the enhanced facilities.

The handover ceremony concluded with a tour of the refurbished hostel, allowing attendees to witness the positive transformation firsthand.