The Ministry of Education has announced the release of Ksh 3.32 billion for First and Second-Year university students for the 2024/25 academic year.
In a statement dated Tuesday, February 4, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the funds, disbursed through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), will provide students with loans ranging from Ksh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000 for upkeep.
“The government disbursed a total of Ksh 3.32 billion by January 31, 2025, for First and Second-Year students during the 2024/2025 academic year.
The disbursements, made through HELB, cover student upkeep, which is a critical component for fostering student welfare. The loans range from Ksh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000 per student,” the statement read in part.
CS Ogamba noted that the funds are part of the 2024/2025 budget, allocated in July 2024 under the current financial year’s budgetary framework.
The disbursement comes just days after University of Nairobi (UoN) students stormed HELB offices at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi to protest delays in loan disbursements. The demonstrations prompted police intervention to disperse the students.
Meanwhile, Kenyatta University students blocked a section of Thika Road for hours, causing major traffic disruptions over the same issue.
Following the protests, HELB assured students that First and Second-Year university students would continue receiving funds under the previous funding model. The board attributed the delays to a court ruling that halted the implementation of the new university funding model.
With the latest disbursement, the government aims to address concerns over delayed funding and ensure that students can meet their financial needs as they continue their studies.
