Education or Survival? The Harsh Reality Facing Kenyan Students
By Tislam Ali, student, KCA University Photo Credits: KCA University 17th Graduation In March 2025, the story of Edna Kerubo, a 23-year-old medical student from Kisii County, captured national attention. By day, she attended lectures; by night, she hawked goods on the streets to fund her education. Denied a loan from the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Edna faced the grim prospect of dropping out. Her plight underscores the systemic financial challenges that many Kenyan university students endure. "Student by day, hawker by night: Edna Kerubo at risk of dropping out after missing HELB loan" https://www.citizen.digital/news/student-by-day-hawker-by-night-edna-kerubo-at-risk-of-dropping-out-after-missing-helb-loan-n359525 Photo: Edna Kerubo/Citizen Digital/ Edna's experience is not an isolated case. Numerous students from low-income backgrounds grapple with the daunting task of financing their education. While HELB aims to provide financial aid, its reach is limited,...