At 6pm, as the sun begins its descent, casting a warm glow over the bustling Chief Centre of Kitere Hills, Rongo University, in Migori County, the aroma of sizzling smokies, hot chapatis and boiled eggs, pan samosas and the savoury scent of freshly grilled fish fill the air.

I expected to see a group of women engaging in these business activities at Chief Centre, but was dumbfounded to learn that it was a group of youths, most likely Gen Z, busy trying to make ends meet. The marketplace is just a few metres from Rongo University’s main campus.

The students I spoke to said they were pushed by necessity to start small businesses like selling smokies, boiled eggs, chapatis, samosa and fish to get some cash to survive on campus.

Their main customers are their colleagues (university students).

According to Evans Omondi, 23, a Communication and Media student at Rongo University, staying on campus is a tough experience, especially if one comes from a poor background.