Students from Multimedia University held protests on Tuesday, October 3, over the delay in disbursement of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds.
The students were heeding a call by Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino who called for protests for all university students in Nairobi.
In videos shared online, the students are seen lighting fires on the roads, blocking feeder roads in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County.
According to the students, many of them could not afford to stay in school because they lacked finances for their basic needs including food and accommodation in the institution.
Manyara and Babu Owino mobilize university Protests
The President of Kenya Universities Students Organization (KUSO), Antony Manyara and MP Babu Owino had earlier stated that the Higher Education Loans Board would disburse the funds this week.
Despite that, however, the two called for protests every day throughout the week until their demands were met.
“We urge all the comrades to come out in large numbers on Tuesday, October 3, for a mass and peaceful demonstration, because HELB has failed to meet what we expected,” Manyara stated.
On September 29, Owino also pushed for demonstrations explaining that while he served as a student leader, the only way the government listened to their grievances was when they took to the streets.
Also Read: Reprieve as Machogu Extends HELB Application Deadline
“This is what I used to do as a student leader and results were guaranteed. The current student leaders must hold demonstrations until HELB is released. Fight for students and ensure no university fees are increased,” stated Babu.
The protests were planned to take place at the Anniversary Towers building in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), where HELB offices are located.
HELB on Loan Disbursement
Earlier in July 2023, HELB noted that the institution was facing financial difficulties and was therefore unable to make the disbursement to all students for the 2022/2023 financial year.
However, the HELB official explained that continuing students had nothing to worry about because they will receive their disbursement on time.
“We regret that your Financial Year 2022/23 application will not be funded due to budgetary constraints. Apply for the 2023/24 subsequent application once we open,” HELB stated.
Also Read: Questions Emerge Over Low HELB Application as Deadline Looms
Ruto’s New Higher Education Funding Model
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu on July 31 unveiled the new university funding model unveiled by President William Ruto to ensure inclusivity in funding.
Machogu launched the Higher Education Financing Portal meant to allow university and TVET students to access funding from the government.
However, the new funding model did not affect continuing students under the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
“Since the presidential directive on May 3, 2023, on the roll-out of the new funding model, the government has developed and completed the Higher Education Financing portal to receive applications for scholarships, bursaries, and loans for university and TVET students,” the CS stated.
According to Ruto, the new model categorizes the students into three, the vulnerable, the less vulnerable, and the able and funds are allocated depending on the category a student falls in.
