The Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu, has confirmed that First Year students in institutions of higher learning will begin receiving much-awaited funds on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

This announcement comes after the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) completed the processing of loans for First Year students in both universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVETs) under the New Higher Education Funding Model.

In a statement released by the Education Cabinet Secretary, he emphasized, “The Ministry wishes to inform successful applicants that the funds will be disbursed to their respective universities and student accounts starting November 7.” He also urged students to verify that their bank details, as provided in their loan applications, are accurate and up-to-date.

The release of these funds comes in the wake of mounting pressure from students who had threatened to stage countrywide demonstrations to push for the release of these much-needed funds.

Student leaders from various universities and TVETs had recently expressed their concerns, describing the two-month delay in disbursing funds to vulnerable first-year students as causing untold suffering. These students had eagerly anticipated the financial support provided by the new funding model.

Students from Machakos University turned their words into action by taking to the streets to protest the delay in receiving funds. The protest led to the deployment of the police, who used teargas canisters to disperse the demonstrating students and restore order in Machakos town.

With the announcement of the fund disbursement scheduled for November 7, students are hopeful that their financial challenges will soon be alleviated. However, it remains to be seen whether this development will quell the brewing unrest among students or whether further demonstrations will occur.

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