President William Ruto has assured students that the funds for higher education will be disbursed by Friday.
Speaking in Dagoreti South on Wednesday, Ruto acknowledged issues at the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) as he noted that this was being addressed.
“Hapo kwa Helb kumekuwa na kizungumkuti kidogo, jana nimekuwa na waziri ambaye anahusika,” he said while vowing action on some individuals.
(There have been challenges with Helb but yesterday I met with the respective Cabinet Secretary).
He said he had already tasked the Head of Public Service with the mandate of ensuring the challenges are expeditiously addressed.
Ruto even jokingly told the students to reach him by phone if the money will not have hit the accounts by that day.
“By Friday, if the money is not in your accounts, give me a call. There are some people I am going to take action against,” he said.
“Mnatafuta namba?” (Are you looking for my number) he posed amid laughter.
Earlier this month, HELB announced that first- and second-year university students will receive funds under the old model while awaiting the outcome of an appeal challenging the High Court’s suspension of the new framework.
There have been protests among students over delayed disbursement of the funds.
“We are protesting the delayed bursary. We cannot afford anything. We are protesting all the way to Anniversary Towers,” Rocha Madzao, UoN’s student leader said.
The officials explained that the delay has been occasioned by a High Court ruling on December 20th, which declared the new university funding model illegal and unconstitutional.
“The disbursement delays stem from a court decision that halted the implementation of the new funding model, forcing HELB to temporarily revert to the old system until the legal matter is resolved,” HELB lending manager King'ori Ndegwa said.
