President Ruto Orders HELB Funds to Be Released by Friday
Thousands of students relying on government loans will receive their pending Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds by the end of this week, President William Ruto has announced.
Speaking during his four-day working tour in Nairobi County at PC Kinyanjui TTI in Dagoretti, Ruto assured students that the government had finalized all necessary discussions to release the money by Friday.
The President said he had spoken with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei. They agreed on a structured plan to ensure the money reaches students without further delay.
Government’s Commitment to Students
“Today, the Head of Public Service is handling the issue. I have instructed them to make sure the money is in students’ accounts by Friday,” Ruto stated.
He also warned officials responsible for disbursing the funds that they would be held accountable if the money was not sent on time.
“If the money is not in your accounts by then, you can reach out to me. I will personally ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” he added.
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Challenges in HELB Disbursement
Ruto acknowledged that the government had faced challenges in releasing HELB funds, causing delays for students.
“There has been a problem with HELB. Yesterday, I met with the Education CS to resolve the issues affecting the system,” he said.
Student Protests Over Loan Delays
Delays in releasing the funds have previously led to protests by university students.
On February 3, students from Kenyatta University blocked Thika Road to demand their HELB loans. At the same time, students from the University of Nairobi stormed the HELB headquarters at Anniversary Towers, demanding answers on the disbursement status.
HELB’s Role in Higher Education
HELB plays a key role in financing higher education in Kenya. Every year, it supports about 180,000 students. Successful applicants receive between Ksh35,000 and Ksh60,000 per year.
With the President’s directive, students can now expect their funds by Friday, easing financial pressure and allowing them to focus on their studies.
President Ruto Orders HELB Funds to Be Released by Friday
