Azimio plans demonstration against Ruto’s move to disband HELB

National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi on Wednesday (January 4) made fresh demands to President William Ruto on HELB grants.

Wandayi asked the head of state to restore the program started by his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, so that the Declaration of Unity organized a nationwide protest.

He also warned Ruto against disbanding the Graduate Student Loan Board (HELB) without devising appropriate methods to ensure the sustainability of student loan services.

“When the President responds to the arguments we made on December 31, Azimio reminds him that high school parents will not receive anything less than tuition reimbursement grants, payments to HELB to facilitate loans for students and all teachers who received training will be absorbed in January 2023,” Wandayi tweeted.

According to Wandayi, Azimio La Umoja will return to consultation sessions to convince parents to oppose Ruto’s decision.

Wandayi noted that the scholarship has greatly helped many parents who have lost their jobs or are struggling to put food on the table.

He called on parents and students to oppose the cancellation of the program at a time when Kenyans are struggling with a sluggish economy.

On Wednesday, December 7, Azimio held a press conference, where party leader Raila Odinga gathered his troops for a rally at Kamukunji Stadium in Kibra.

At the event, Wandayi read what he called the “Kamukunji declaration”.

In the nine-item agenda, Azimio promised to press the Ruto administration to restore tuition subsidies.

Azimio decided to force Kenya Kwanza to restore the tuition subsidy, which significantly reduced the amount paid to the institution.

“We will return to Kamukunji Grounds, if President William Ruto fails to restore the tuition subsidy,” Wandayi said.