University Students Stage Protests Over HELB Delay
On Tuesday, university students in Rongai staged a protest due to the delayed release of Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds. They took to the streets, blocking the primary entrance to Ongata Rongai Town in Kajiado County by obstructing Magadi Road. During the protest, they sang, lit tires and bonfires, and chanted phrases like “the struggle continues” to express their frustration.
In response to the protests, security personnel used tear gas to disperse the crowds after clashes with the students. Despite government promises to release HELB funds on time, students from low-income backgrounds have endured significant hardships due to delays in fund disbursement.
This prolonged issue has gained attention from national leaders, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who has called for the government to release funds promptly to assist students facing economic challenges. Owino highlighted that students are suffering from hunger, inability to pay fees, lack of funds for food and accommodation, and transportation difficulties due to the delays.
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The lawmaker urged Treasury CS Professor Ndung’u to work with HELB to expedite the release of funds, emphasizing that the delay is causing significant hardship for students.
Antony Manyara, the current president of the Kenya Universities Students Organization (KUSO), previously reported that the Higher Education Loans Board had agreed to allocate the funds this week, offering some hope for the affected students.
University Students Stage Protests Over HELB Delay
