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In a significant development for university and college students, the government, through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), has disbursed Ksh. 1.56 billion to support tuition and upkeep costs.
The funds were released on Friday, offering relief to students and trainees facing financial difficulties.
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba confirmed that the disbursement would benefit 31,263 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) trainees and 33,863 university students. “This funding will go a long way in addressing the needs of students and trainees, enabling them to continue their academic, training, and research programs without interruptions,” Ogamba said.
Students and trainees have been notified of the disbursements through HELB’s official communication channels, and are advised to check their portals for further details.
In the current Financial Year 2024/2025, HELB has already released a total of Ksh. 32.7 billion, set to benefit 195,522 TVET trainees and 390,612 university students. The Cabinet Secretary assured that the government would continue to support the academic and training aspirations of students despite ongoing challenges, including debates surrounding the new University Funding Model.
This disbursement comes after a delay in HELB payments, which had left thousands of students stranded financially. The issue sparked concerns, with Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina raising the matter last month and calling for clarity from the Departmental Committee on Education.
The delay stemmed from a High Court ruling in December 2024, which declared the new higher education funding model unconstitutional, blocking its implementation until the government met constitutional and legal requirements. In response, the Ministry of Education pledged to introduce a revised funding model later this year, while reverting to the previous HELB funding framework for the time being.
The financial strain had led to unrest in universities, with students protesting and lecturers boycotting exams in solidarity with those affected by the delay.
