A group of students from the University of Nairobi (UoN) today stormed the headquarters of the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) at Anniversary Towers to demand the immediate release of upkeep funds, saying life at school has become tough.
According to the UoN students, the delay in HELB funds has caused them to miss classes due to difficult circumstances and tough economic times, making it hard for many to sustain themselves while studying.
“We have rent arrears, we can’t afford meals, and our academic progress is at risk,” one of the protesters told reporters outside the government’s student loans office in Nairobi. “HELB is our lifeline, and these delays are unacceptable.”
The UoN students were unable to access the headquarters, though. The police arrived early and dispersed them peacefully, leading to demonstrations around, but away from, the main building that houses the headquarters.
However, the protest prompted HELB to respond. The state agency, under the Ministry of Education, stated that it is facing challenges such as insufficient funds, an increasing number of needy students, and a low recovery rate.
“We are aware of the frustrations caused by the delays and are working tirelessly to ensure the funds are released as soon as possible,” HELB said in a statement.
Despite these assurances, students across various institutions have expressed dissatisfaction with HELB’s handling of the situation, warning of more widespread demonstrations should the agency fail to resolve the issue promptly.
The standoff has reignited concerns over the sustainability of the student loan programme, with calls for the government to prioritise education funding to safeguard the academic future of thousands of students dependent on HELB.
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