Machakos University students on Thursday morning vented their frustration over the delayed Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loan.
The incident occurs just one month after students from Multimedia University had similarly demonstrated for the same cause.
Reports indicate that the university students took to the streets and clashed with police officers, effectively paralysing operations on the Machakos-Wote Road.
President of the university students’ body, Ian Kibet, told the press that despite the institution’s opening two months ago, the government has reportedly not remitted funds intended for school fees and upkeep to qualified students’ bank accounts.
This, he claims, has made it difficult for students to maintain their lifestyles in the institution.
“We are here as the students of Machakos University to demand for what we were promised by the government. The demos will continue if they don’t do so immediately,” he said.
Valentine, a student who was participating in the protests, said life had become unbearable as many of the students’ parents were unable to provide them with upkeep.
“We are really suffering out here. We just want the government to honour our request and release HELB. Many of our comrades are sleeping hungry and this is affecting their mental health.”
Images and videos circulating on social media depicted the students igniting bonfires along the roads, leading to traffic disruptions. They marched with placards, urging the Ministry of Education to intervene and release the much-awaited funds.
Normally, university students should receive Helb funding at the beginning of the semester to cover their tuition fees and living expenses. However, they asserted that this crucial financial support had not materialised.
