Machakos University students demonstrate over delayed HELB disbursement

Machakos,

Friday, November 3, 2023

KNA by Anne Kangero/Joan Vata

Machakos University students on Thursday staged a demonstration to express their woes concerning the delayed disbursement of Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) funds.

The strike which saw over 1000 students in the streets of Machakos blocking major roads and chanting for the Helb money to be released, caused a halt for ongoing businesses in town as the police responded with teargas.

The students who depend on the Helb fund to cater for their tuition and daily upkeep say they have been undergoing financial strain while expecting the money to be processed but in vain.

Machakos University Student President Ian Kibet Rop speaking on behalf of the other students said that they have been going through lots of hardship without the Helb funds which is supposed to ease their stay in school and that is why they have taken to the streets for their plea to be heard.

The student president added that the Helb money has been delayed yet they are expected to pay for tuition and other school needs, and they gave the government 24 hours to disburse their funds or head to the Central Business District for further demonstrations.

Former Machakos University president, Jeripad Agak said that they are going to hold the demonstrations until their Helb funds reflect in the school accounts.

“They have taken too long to release the funds, where are the funds?” Wailed the former University President.

The police managed to control the situation after a tough cat and mouse game with the students who involved the police in running battles pelted stones to them and blocking the Machakos Wote road making it unpassable.

Courtesy; KNA