Thousands of students at risk of missing out on HELB loans after halt on ID card printing

Thousands of university students preparing to start their academic year in September 2024 are at risk of missing out on crucial Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans following the court's decision to halt the printing of new ID cards, also known as Maisha Namba.

The move jeopardises the students' education as many lack the required ID cards necessary for applying the loans.

The court's decision follows a case filed by the Haki na Sheria Initiative which argued that the initiative lacks sufficient safeguards for the processing of personal data.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued the order saying it would be difficult to remedy damage caused if the court eventually finds the process unconstitutional.

“The court is satisfied that based on the latest disclosure, an order suspending any further or continued implementation of Maisha Namba, Maisha card and Maisha Database pending hearing and determination of this application ought to be issued,” the judge said.

Students have now been left in limbo, unsure of their ability to access HELB loans and proceed with their education due to the suspension.

Jane Muthoni, a student preparing to join Kenyatta University in Nairobi, voiced her frustration over the prolonged wait for her ID.

Dilemma

“I’ve been waiting for my ID for months, and now I’m worried I won’t be able to apply for the HELB loan in time. My parents can’t afford the full course fees on their own. When we contact HELB, we’re told to apply using our index numbers, but the portal indicates that since we are over 18, we need to apply with our ID,” she lamented.

According to the Loans Board, only students under the age of 19 who do not have ID cards can apply for loans and scholarships using their KCSE index numbers. However, students who have already applied for IDs must wait until they receive their cards, as ID numbers are required to complete the application process.

“Those who have applied for IDs and are still waiting for them to be processed will need to be patient, as the IDs are necessary for applying for the scholarship,” the Loans Board stated.

Another parent, David Ochieng, reported having made several trips to the Huduma Centres without receiving any assistance.

“I have been visiting the offices since January, but we are still told to wait. It’s distressing to see our children’s education at risk because of bureaucratic delays. We urge the government to find a swift solution to this problem,” he said.

“The Government should address and sort this issue of ID cards urgently, especially for the youth. It is disheartening that a young person might miss out on HELB because of an ID issue. This situation is incredibly straining for both the students and their parents,” said Martin Wachira, a concerned citizen.

Following the uproar, the National Assembly Education Committee has summoned the Higher Education PS Beatrice Inyangla, Immigration and Citizen Services PS Julius Bitok, Higher Education Loans Board CEO Charles Ringera and University Funding Model CEO Geoffrey Monari to appear before the committee next week and elaborate on the status of student admission into universities.

The legislators expressed their concerns that the lack of identity cards would hamper the application for university funding.

This is not the first time the printing process has faced obstacles. A similar injunction was issued in December 2023 and lifted in February 2024. The ongoing delays now leave thousands of Kenyans especially those who have finished school without the identification cards they need for crucial purposes.

In November 2023, the government halted the printing of second-generation ID cards. Immigration PS Julius Bitok stated that the National Registration Bureau had acquired a modern printer for the production of third-generation cards, which feature a microchip and will need renewal every 10 years.