INFOSPOT Issue No. 6 | Special Edition  9th May, 2025

Dear Freshman!

Hello and a very warm welcome from the Orientation Team! Congratulations on your admission to Daystar University. We have been praying for you and are excited that you are finally here.

Please take note of the following: 

The Orientation Week begins on Monday May 12, 2025 at Daystar University Main Campus Athi River and ends on Sunday May 18, 2025.

Welcome!

Upon arrival, the University Orientation Team made up of older students will receive and give you an unforgettable welcome experience to our wonderful University. 

Watch the Welcome video here: https://youtu.be/om-jeuMLXQM

Programmes

The Orientation Week programme for full time Day Students will also be availed in your physical Infopack.  Click here to download programmes for Fulltime Day Students and Evening Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. All Fulltime undergraduate and diploma students will report to the Main Campus Athi River Main Campus. Please note that Orientation is mandatory for all new students. 

On Monday May 12, 2025, the Vice Chancellor will address all new students and their parents/guardians at Daystar University Main Campus Athi River, from 10:00am to 12:30pm.  Please download the VC’s Welcome Address  to day studets here and plan to attend.  In the evening of the same day, the VC will address all postgraduate and evening students from 5:30pm.  Click here to download the Programme for VC’s Welcome Address to Evening Students.

The Athi River Campus is located approximately 40 kilometres from Nairobi and 5 kilometres from the Mombasa Road turnoff. If coming from Nairobi and Athi River, take the second left turn after Greenpark Estate immediately after the KENHA bridge.  If coming from Machakos, turn just before the KENHA bridge.  Beware of speeding vehicles from Nairobi before crossing.  A 6-metre directional signage is clearly visible from either direction.  If you have a smartphone, follow this location PIN for direction. In case you need help, please call +254 748 100 759.

The Orientation Week is meant to welcome you and get you acquainted with your University. It should also help you to make friends faster and give you an unforgettable freshman experience, as well as impact you spiritually and socially as you begin your academic journey on 6th September 2024.

Upon arrival, a group of amazing Daystarians specially selected from various student groups and ministries will receive and help you to get the best experience of our wonderful University. They make the Orientation Team.

Map showing junction to Daystar University, Athi River Campus

Is Orientation Week necessary?

Yes! In fact, it is mandatory, and a very important part of the Daystar University culture. That said, your full presence and cooperation is required during this week. Please note the following important information:

1. The Orientation Week runs from Monday 12 May to Sunday 18th May 2025:

• All full time Diploma and Undergraduate students will report to Daystar University Main Campus Athi River.

• Students and parents from distant places arriving earlier than 8th May can contact our Helpline +254 748 100 759.

• Postgraduate and Evening Undergraduate students will take their Orientation Virtually via Zoom every evening starting at 5:30pm daily. Login credentials will be sent to you directly via SMS.  We have also prepared a detailed https://www.daystar.ac.ke/orientation-pack/ which you can access any time for guidance.  
  

• There will be no classes during the Orientation Week but we have lined up a schedule of important activities for you! 

• Each day has specific activities to be accomplished as outlined in the programme that you will receive at the Registration Desk upon arrival at the Main Campus in Athi River.

• Accommodation will be offered to Boarders and there will be sufficient transport for Day Scholars commuting to Athi River Campus from Nairobi & its environs.  Please check the Fees Structure and pay the Orientation Fee for your respective category.During Orientation Week, transport, boarding and meals will be provided by the University in line with your student status either as a Boarder or a Day Scholar, under the Orientation Fee.

• All meals, transport and boarding services will be provided to you by the University in line with your student status either as a Boarder or a Day Scholar, under the Orientation Fee.

  
  

   Boarders will be required to stay on campus at all times during Orientation Week, and Day Scholars will be required to be on Campus until 5:00pm daily when they board the bus to their respective homes or go to their off-campus hostels unless otherwise stated in the Orientation Programme..

• Medical Cover: It is mandatory for All Day students to have a medical cover as detailed in the Fees Structure. Students with a separate medical cover are required to submit a letter from the Insurance Company or Employer by 23rd May 2025 to get exemption from paying for medical cover under the University. For more information contact student.medical@daystar.ac.ke. Please note that the University does not accept the general SHIF/SHA cover. However, the Comprehensive SHIF/SHA Cover for Public Civil Servants is accepted. We shall require a valid SHIF/SHA Member Data Summary or a letter for such.

   

NOTE:

• There will be verification of original certificates by Heads of Departments (HODs) on Monday 12th May 2025 for fulltime Diploma and Undergraduate students, and Saturday 10th May 2025 for evening undergraduate and postgraduate students, 8:00am to 2:00pm. You are required to bring the following documents for certificate verification: both original and copies of academic certificate or result slip, school leaving certificate, National ID/Passport or Birth Certificate, admission letter, and 2 coloured passport size photos.  Those without passport size photos can take one on campus at a minimal fee.

  
  

• Matriculation ceremony: On Wednesday 14th May 2025, all new Diploma and Undergraduate students will be required to attend a Matriculation Ceremony.  This is a special and important ceremony that involves swearing in and signing of a Consent Form to officially get admitted to Daystar University.  Please plan to attend as scheduled in the Orientation Programme.

• Dress Code: All students are advised to always observe the Daystar University Dress Code as prescribed in the Students’ Handbook. 

• On Saturday 17^th May 2025, Boarders will be required to attend teambuilding and bonding activities at the Main Campus Athi River. Please bring along comfortable sportswear for this, including closed-toe sports shoes, water bottle, sunglasses, a hat/cap, as well as any necessary medication e.g., insulin, asthma inhalers etc. The only gadgets allowed on that day are mobile phones. Other gadgets like speakers are prohibited on the playground.

• On Sunday 18^th May 2025, the Chaplaincy shall conduct a community Chapel service at the Amphitheater to close the Orientation Week.  Boarder are required to attend.

Meals, Accommodation & Transport

Meals: Boarders will be provided with all meals for the duration of the Orientation Week, while Dayscholars will be provided with 10:00am Tea and lunch daily. Kindly inform your Orientation Group Team leader about any special meal requirements as early as possible.

Accommodation: It is highly recommended that ALL Freshmen board on campus during the Orientation Week.  To Board during Orientation Week, all you are required to do is pay the orientation week boarding fee of Kes 7,500. For clarity, this includes freshmen from Nairobi Campus.

1.    Orientation fee for Day scholars is Kes 5,500. This applies to:

• Athi River Campus Day Scholars commuting daily.

•  Athi River Campus students living off-campus.

•  Nairobi Campus Day students commuting daily

Those who choose to board will be hosted in University hostels at Athi River Campus from Monday 12th May through Sunday 18^th May 2025. After the Orientation Week, all Full-board Freshmen will be required to change rooms and move to their permanent hostels for the semester as booked on the Student Portal. If you are stuck, please call +254 748 100 759 for assistance.

Please beware of fraudsters who may solicit accommodation fee or commission to secure you a room off-campus. If unsure, please call +254 748 100 759.

Please bring your personal effects (soaps, toothbrush/paste, bucket, towels, beddings, and slippers etc).  Please note that the Athi River Campus gets quite cold at night and quite warm / hot during the day.  Plan to bring appropriate wear for both extremes.  A heavy blanket/duvet is advisable. Beds and mattresses will be provided by the University.

ing clothing for both weather extremes.  Please note the following:

Transport: For Day Scholars commuting daily to the Athi River Campus, buses will leave the Nairobi Campus at 6:30am and Athi River Campus at 5:00pm daily, unless otherwise communicated.  If you will be picked along Mombasa Road, please call 0705618422 in the Transport Department.

Why Board? 

• You save time, energy and money on daily commute during orientation week.

• You get the full orientation experience, including evening programmes custom-made with Freshmen in mind.

• You spend quality time meeting new people and bonding with other Freshmen.

• You get to know more about the on-campus student experience in one week. 

Should you feel ‘lost’ or have any questions, contact your Orientation Group Leader or Email: feedback@daystar.ac.ke or call: 0709 972 000 / 0748 100 759.

We wish you an enjoyable Orientation Week.  Once more, welcome to the Daystar family!

Key Contact Details