HELB Responds to Alleged Hacking After Receiving Ksh10 Billion
The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) found itself compelled to address allegations of fund breaches for students on Monday, January 22, as reported online.
A viral post circulated, asserting that hackers had taken control of over 5,000 student accounts. Notably, this incident occurred just three days after the Treasury allocated Ksh10 billion to cater to scholarships and loans for first-year students in public universities.
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Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, in accordance with the New Higher Education Funding Model, directed the release of the funds. HELB is now affirming the security of the funds, reassuring Kenyans that every beneficiary is slated to receive their designated amount.
A statement from the board emphasized the inaccuracy of the purported hack, urging recipients to dismiss any false claims: “Disregard the false HELB message claiming a hack on batch numbers! Your funds are safe.”
Addressing university students directly, HELB communicated that there is no urgency to visit Huduma Centres for account verification. The flagged post had advised students to visit Huduma Centres with their national identity cards upon receiving payment texts from HELB.
It suggested that while the hackers managed to access the accounts, withdrawing the funds posed challenges.
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Under the novel funding model, which allocates funds based on students’ financial needs, President William Ruto’s government has already disbursed Ksh23 billion for the program.
To qualify for these funds, students must have secured placements in higher learning institutions through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). Additionally, they are required to apply for the funds through the Higher Education Financing (HEF) portal.
HELB Responds to Alleged Hacking After Receiving Ksh10 Billion
