By Dorcas Njoki and Alex Njeru
Have you ever wondered what happens to the small businesses that spring up around schools and other institutions when students break for long holidays?
If your guess is that they shut down, you’re not entirely wrong—but the full story is far more complex.
For many businesses operating near institutions such as Chuka University, school holidays bring an inevitable slump in activity.
Located near Chuka town, Chuka University is a hub of academic life in Tharaka Nithi County, and with it comes a thriving micro-economy of salons, eateries, boutiques, cyber cafés, and other small enterprises.
These businesses largely depend on the student population for survival.
“When students leave for the long holidays, things slow down significantly,” says Kanyeri, a student and salon owner operating near the university.
“During a normal semester, I pay Sh20,000 in rent for my space—it’s large enough for me to run my salon and live in.
But when the holidays begin, I either pay a discounted rate of Sh15,000 if I choose to stay or a monthly storage fee of Sh1,000 if I leave.”
Kanyeri’s experience reflects a broader challenge: even when businesses scale down or temporarily shut their doors, rent obligations don’t disappear.
Landlords, aware of the seasonal nature of these businesses, often impose storage or retention fees during the off-peak period.
Still, not every business closes its doors. Some remain operational, catering to the steady—albeit reduced—demand from residents and employees of other institutions in the area.
Chuka town, after all, is more than just a university town; it is a municipality with government offices, hospitals, and permanent residents.
“People often assume business stops completely, but that’s not accurate,” says John Mwenda, a local shopkeeper who has operated near the university for over five years.
“The demand drops, yes, but it doesn’t disappear. Government workers, families, and a few students who don’t travel home still need services.”
What does change significantly is the scale of operations. When foot traffic declines, business owners are forced to adjust accordingly.
Perishable goods like fruits and snacks are ordered in smaller quantities to avoid spoilage.
Prices are sometimes lowered in an attempt to attract the remaining customers, which can lead to thinner profit margins.
“It’s a delicate balance,” Mwenda adds. “If you keep your prices too high, the few customers around will walk away. But if you reduce them too much, you barely make enough to cover your expenses.”
The seasonal nature of school-related economies brings into focus the vulnerabilities of businesses dependent on a single demographic.
For these entrepreneurs, diversification—whether through offering services that appeal to non-student populations or branching into online sales—might offer a lifeline.
As long as the academic calendar dictates the ebb and flow of towns like Chuka, businesses will continue to adapt to the rhythms of student life.
For now, the long holiday remains both a pause and a test of endurance for those working hard to keep their doors open.
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