HELB Disbursement: Government Releases KSh 9 Billion to Ease Burden on University Students
- More than 300,000 university students are receiving fresh support from HELB this week, following the release of billions of shillings in funding
- The Ministry of Education has disbursed KSh 9.46 billion, with a larger share directed to tuition fees and the rest going into student upkeep
- Government officials said this is part of wider reforms meant to make higher education affordable while strengthening access to skills training
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Smiles spread across campuses this week as university students began receiving long-awaited funds from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
Source: Twitter
Many said the disbursement came as a relief, easing their financial worries and allowing them to focus on their studies.
Has HELB began disbursing 2025/2026 loans to students?
On Tuesday, August 19, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba confirmed that HELB had released KSh 9.46 billion to support 309,178 students.
Of this amount, KSh 5.76 billion is being directed towards tuition, while KSh 3.7 billion will cover student upkeep.
“We are pleased to notify parents, guardians and university students that the Higher Education Loans Board has, as of today, disbursed a total of Ksh.9.46 billion in financial support to 309,178 university students,” said Ogamba.
He urged learners to log in to their HELB portals to confirm the payments and access details of their loan accounts.
“Students are advised to check their HELB portals to confirm receipt of the funds and to access detailed information regarding their individual HELB loan accounts,” he added.
The Cabinet secretary further assured students that the government remains committed to ensuring higher education stays within reach for all, stressing that the intention is to remove barriers that lock out talented learners from poorer backgrounds.
Did government increase capitation to HELB?
This development follows a recent increase in government capitation to HELB by KSh 5 billion, raising the allocation from KSh 36 billion to KSh 41 billion.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the step would widen access to loans and bursaries, giving more students a chance to pursue their studies without financial strain.
Kindiki also highlighted reforms in university and technical education, noting that the government had reduced fees and increased investment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
He explained that these reforms are designed to provide learners with practical skills that meet the needs of the job market.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
