HELB Responds to Website Hacking Reports After Receiving Ksh10 Billion
On Monday, January 22, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) had to address allegations of funds intended for students being compromised, following reports of hacking circulating on the internet.
In a widely circulated message, it was asserted that hackers had taken command of more than 5,000 student accounts.
Three days later, a sum of Ksh10 billion was disbursed by the Treasury to fund scholarships and loans for first-year students in public universities.
Per the instruction of Ezekiel Machogu, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, the funds were disbursed by the New Higher Education Funding Model.
HELB is currently guaranteeing Kenyan citizens that the funds are safeguarded, ensuring that each recipient will receive the designated sum.
“Disregard the false HELB message claiming a hack on batch numbers! Your funds are safe,” the board issued a statement.
College students were also informed that there was no urgency to visit Huduma Centres to verify the security of their accounts.
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In the recently marked post, students were alerted to the requirement for individuals who have received payment notifications from HELB to visit Huduma Centres, bringing along their national identity cards.
According to the post, the hackers managed to gain entry to the accounts but encountered difficulties in withdrawing the funds.
President William Ruto’s administration has allocated Ksh23 billion for the program under the recently implemented funding model, which distributes funds based on students’ individual needs.
To obtain the funds, students need to have been enrolled in higher education institutions through the services of the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS).
Furthermore, individuals are required to submit their funding applications via the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal.
HELB Responds to Website Hacking Reports After Receiving Ksh10 Billion