President William Ruto has said students will receive their Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds by Friday.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 12, Ruto acknowledged the challenges surrounding the disbursement of the funds and assured students that steps were being taken to resolve the matter.
"I understand that there have been challenges with HELB disbursement. Yesterday, I met with the CS, there had been challenges at the HELB board, and today, the Head of Public Service is handling the matter.
"I have instructed them to ensure that the money reaches the students' accounts by Friday so that everyone can have their resources," he stated.
Ruto also warned of consequences should the funds fail to reflect in students' accounts by the promised deadline.
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"If that money has not been reflected in your accounts by then, you can reach out to me. There are people I will have to hold responsible for the same," he added.
This directive comes a month after the Ministry of Education announced that the government released Ksh3.32 billion for First and Second Year university students for the 2024/25 academic year.
In a statement dated Tuesday, February 4, Education CS Julius Ogamba said the funds disbursed through HELB will see students receiving loans between Ksh40,000 and Ksh60,000.
“The Government disbursed a total of Ksh 3.32 Billion by 31st January 2025, for First and Second Year students during the 2024/2025 Academic Year.
“The disbursements, made through the Higher Education Loans Board, cover students' upkeep. The upkeep loans, which are a critical component for fostering student welfare, range from Ksh40,000 to Ksh60,000 per student,” read the statement in part.
Ogamba noted that the disbursed funds are part of the funds that had already been appropriated in July 2024, in the context of the current Financial Year’s budgetary and appropriation framework.
