Reprieve for university students as HELB disburses over Ksh.9B

The Ministry of Education, through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), has disbursed Ksh.9.46 billion to support 309,178 university students.

Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba, in a statement on Tuesday, said Ksh.5.76 billion of the total funds would be channelled for tuition fees while the remaining Ksh.3.7 billion would go to student upkeep.

“We are pleased to notify parents, guardians and university students that the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has, as of today, disbursed a total of Ksh.9.46 billion in financial support to 309,178 university students,” stated Ogamba.

He therefore urged the affected learners to check their HELB portals to confirm receipt of the funds and to access detailed information regarding their individual HELB loan accounts.

The CS further assured learners of the government’s commitment to continue providing the requisite funding to ensure that higher education remains accessible and affordable to all students.

The disbursement follows a recent announcement by the government to increase the capitation to the HELB by Ksh.5 billion—rising from Ksh.36 billion to Ksh.41 billion, an increase Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said would enhance student access to loans and bursaries

DP Kindiki spoke after the ministry slashed university fees and expanded support to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions as part of a broader plan to equip learners with industry-relevant skills.