HELB Restores Old Funding Model After Nationwide Protests

In a major win for Kenyan university students, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has reversed its controversial funding changes and restored its original model following protests.

The decision comes after weeks of mounting pressure, culminating in dramatic scenes at Anniversary Towers where students from various universities, led by the University of Nairobi, stormed HELB offices demanding immediate action on delayed loan disbursements.

Under the reinstated model, first and second-year students who joined universities in September 2023 will receive full funding as per previous arrangements. This marks a complete departure from recent policy changes that had left many students struggling to finance their education.

The protests led to a temporary closure of HELB offices and brought student grievances into sharp focus. Law enforcement had to be deployed to maintain order, underscoring the severity of student frustration with the situation.

The reversal comes at a critical time when HELB faces unprecedented challenges. A record number of students qualified for university admission this year, creating what officials describe as a "funding headache" for the organization.

Key changes include:

• Immediate reinstatement of the previous funding structure
• Commitment to timely disbursement of funds
• Review of the application process for affected students

The government's U-turn on HELB funding policies represents a significant shift in Kenya's higher education landscape, demonstrating the power of collective student action in shaping educational policy.

For students concerned about their funding status, HELB has promised to release detailed guidelines on the implementation process in the coming days.