HELB Funds to Be Disbursed by End of This Week, Says President Ruto
President William Ruto has assured students relying on the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) that their pending allocations will be disbursed by the end of this week. This announcement was made during his visit to the PC Kinyanjui TTI in Dagoretti, Nairobi County, on the third day of his four-day working tour.
The President revealed that he had finalized discussions with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei to ensure the funds are released on time. Ruto emphasized that by Friday, the money should be in the students’ accounts. He also warned officials responsible for the disbursement to ensure timely payment, stating that he would hold them personally accountable if the funds were not released as promised.
Addressing the ongoing challenges with the HELB disbursement process, Ruto acknowledged that delays had caused frustration among students. He had previously met with relevant officials to resolve the issues hindering the smooth release of funds.
The delays have sparked protests from university students in the past, with some students resorting to street demonstrations. A notable protest occurred on February 3 when Kenyatta University students blocked Thika Road in a bid to demand the release of their HELB funds. Meanwhile, students from the University of Nairobi stormed the HELB offices at Anniversary Towers, seeking clarity on when they would receive their allocations.
HELB is essential in supporting higher education for Kenyan students, assisting approximately 180,000 students each year. A successful applicant typically receives between Ksh 35,000 and Ksh 60,000 annually.
