Ksh 3.32 Billion Disbursed To University Students After Protests

The government has disbursed 3.32 billion shillings to facilitate the upkeep of first year and second year university students under the 2024/2025 academic year through the Higher Education Loans Board, HELB.

According to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the funds were fully released by January 31 2024. Education CS announced on Tuesday evening, a day after the university students held demonstrations demanding the immediate release of HELB funds.

Ogamba said that the money was disbursed to students accounts and each student will receive between 40,000 shillings and 60,000 shillings.

“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.

The disbursed funds were part of the funds already appropriated in July 2024, in the context of the current Financial Year’s budgetary and appropriation framework.

On Monday, University of Nairobi (UoN) students staged protests at HELB offices demanding timely loan disbursements. The angry students overpowered the security guards and attempted to force entry into the HELB offices.

Students from Kenyatta University blocked a section of Thika Road over similar delays. The protesting students expressed frustration over the difficulty in meeting academic and personal expenses due to the delays.

According to HELB, first- and second-year students would receive funding under the old model as they await the outcome of an appeal against a High Court ruling that suspended the new university funding framework.

“The disbursement delays stem from a court decision that halted the implementation of the new funding model, forcing HELB to temporarily revert to the old system until the legal matter is resolved,” Ndegwa said.

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