University students can finally breathe easy following the disbursement of Higher Education Loan funds, after recent protests calling for their prompt release.
On Tuesday, February 4, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed that the government had released Ksh3.2 billion for distribution by HELB to support students’ upkeep.
The funds will be allocated to first-year and second-year university students under the current academic year.
“The Government disbursed a total of Ksh3.32 billion by January 31, 2025, for first and second year students during the 2024/2025 Academic Year. The disbursements through the Higher Education Loans Board cover students’ upkeep,” Ogamba announced.
HELB announced it will continue using the old funding model while awaiting the High Court’s decision on the appeal of the disputed new model. As a result, each student will receive between Ksh40,000 and Ksh60,000.
The CS also disclosed that the disbursed funds are part of the budget approved in July 2024, within the framework of the current Financial Year’s budget and appropriations.
This comes two days after students forced entry into the HELB offices at the Anniversary Towers in Nairobi demanding the release of the capitation.
Frustrated by the ongoing delay in financial support, the irate students overpowered security guards and attempted to force their way into the HELB offices.
This prompted intervention by law enforcement who rushed to the scene to disperse the protesting students, who had threatened to move their protests into the CBD.
Students from Kenyatta University also blocked a section of tbe busy Thika Road for hours, which forced motorists to seek alternative routes in and out of the city.
HELB’s lending manager, King’ori Ndegwa, addressed the frustrated students, explaining that the delay was due to a High Court case. He assured them the funds would be released by week’s end using the old model, with Ksh3 billion disbursed, to cater to the 180,000 students who had been affected by the delays.
