HELB Loan Disbursement Delay Triggers Unrest Among Students, Politicians Call for Protests

Story by Tonney A. Ochieng

A storm is brewing in Kenya’s higher education sector as thousands of university and TVET students remain in financial limbo due to delayed loan disbursements from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). For many students, this delay has led to dire consequences, including the inability to pay tuition fees, secure accommodation, or afford daily living expenses, leaving them increasingly frustrated.

The uproar among students has not gone unnoticed. Some senior political figures have also taken to their social media accounts to show dissatisfaction with the delayed disbursement, with Embakasi East Member of Parliament Hon. Babu Owino calling for student leaders to organize peaceful demonstrations across university campuses until the disbursement of HELB loans is completed. These calls have resonated with students, many of whom are eager to voice their frustration over the situation, further intensifying the tension.

Additionally, the spokesperson of the Kenya University Students Organization (KUSO), Kisero Kennedy, has also penned a letter to HELB demanding the urgent disbursement of the remaining loan batches. In the letter, KUSO warned that if their needs are not met in a timely manner, they will be compelled to take action to defend their right to education, signaling a potential escalation in student unrest.

In response to the rising concerns, HELB issued a statement via their official X (formerly Twitter) page. The tweet read, “We wish to inform all our stakeholders that HELB is fully complying with the court order while working closely with the Ministry of Education in exploring all the urgent legal options to reach an amicable resolution.” HELB assured students that it is working diligently to resolve the impasse and ensure that the delayed loans are disbursed as soon as possible, while encouraging patience amidst the legal hurdles.

Despite these reassurances, the delay has had a profound impact on students’ lives. Many students have been unable to register for classes, with some being turned away due to unpaid tuition fees. Others have faced eviction from university hostels or struggled to meet their basic needs, including food and transport. The uncertainty has left students anxious, with some fearing their academic year might be disrupted or extended due to the delay.

University administrators are equally feeling the heat. Institutions are experiencing logistical challenges as students fail to register on time, leading to disrupted learning schedules. As student unrest grows, the potential for protests to escalate further looms large, with the political class seemingly encouraging the demonstrations.

The delayed disbursement highlights deeper structural issues within the HELB funding system and raises questions about its reliability in supporting Kenya’s higher education. With no clear timeline for resolving the issue, students and university administrations are left waiting for a breakthrough, hoping for a swift resolution that will allow academic activities to proceed without further interruptions.

Meanwhile, the pressure mounts on HELB and the Ministry of Education to act quickly. With every passing day, the risk of unrest intensifies, and the looming threat of mass demonstrations could push the situation to a tipping point. The country’s academic future hangs in the balance, and the next few days could determine whether calm is restored or if chaos will reign across the country’s campuses.

For now, all eyes remain fixed on HELB, waiting for the funds to flow or for a resolution to break through the deadlock. The question remains: will the government act in time to quell the brewing storm, or will the unrest spiral into something far greater than anyone anticipated?