The study focused on the effect of poverty on student retention at Gretsa University in Thika. The study has sought to recognize that some students at the university take longer than the prescribed duration to complete their courses. Additionally, there is a discrepancy between the number of students registered for course units and the number of students sitting for end-semester exams. Graduation numbers also do not match the initial enrollment figures each year. This study investigated the effect of poverty on student retention in order to address the issue effectively. The study objectives included: To find out how poverty affects course registration among Gretsa University students, to assess the extent of poverty on the effect of class attendance rate among Gretsa University students and to investigate how poverty affects physiological needs among students at Gretsa University. To achieve these objectives, a descriptive survey research design was employed, utilizing quantitative methods. The data collection process involved a combination of purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques. The target population for this study was 1806 students. Interviews and questionnaires were used as the primary data collection instruments. The study was expected to shed light on the role of poverty in influencing student retention rates and provide valuable insights for implementing interventions and support mechanisms to improve the overall retention of students at Gretsa University.