The Kenyan government has reinstated the previous higher education funding model, HELB, in response to mounting pressure from university students and a court order.
This decision comes after weeks of unrest across campuses due to delayed disbursements of upkeep funds. The move, which appears to be a temporary measure, ensures that first- and second-year students receive financial support while awaiting the outcome of a legal appeal challenging the new funding model.
According to Business Daily, Joseph King’ori Ndegwa, the lending manager at the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), confirmed the disbursement of funds, stating that Sh3.7 billion had been deposited into students’ accounts.
“We decided to pay the students under the old funding model.” Ndegwa said, “By this morning, the funds had been transferred, and by the end of the day, students should have received their money,” he added. However, universities themselves have yet to receive their allocations.
The decision follows a ruling that deemed the newly proposed funding system unlawful, forcing the government to seek alternative ways to support students financially.
Mr. Ndegwa clarified that Helb had no choice but to revert to the old differentiated unit cost model to prevent further disruptions, though there are indications that the funds disbursed might only be a portion of what students were initially entitled to under the new system.
The reversion raises legal and procedural questions, particularly regarding whether the government is adhering to the court ruling or circumventing it. Outside Helb headquarters at Anniversary Towers, students staged demonstrations, blocking sections of University Way to demand immediate disbursement of funds.
“The delay was due to the court case that prevented any action on the new funding model. Over the last two weeks, we have been exploring ways to process payments,” Mr. Ndegwa explained.
