Many students are joyous whenever the student financing body, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) disburse their monies but this joy only last for days. This is because when this money gets into comrades pocket, its usage is crafted with immediacy. The motto of the time is always; we no longer eat like chicken but we eat chicken.
Many students lust for a blissful life and when Helb disburses the money, their living style changes immediately. People living around the university knows whenever students get Helb and too have become beneficiaries.
Roy, a third-year student at the University of Eldoret says whenever he gets the money he must fit into a lifestyle that he has been yearning for though it is always short lived.
"Whenever my Sh50,000 Helb hit my account, sukuma wiki and ugali is a thing of the past. I always eat at the prestigious hotels in the town," says Roy.
Matatu and Boda Boda operators have also been beneficiaries of the money. During this period, students will no longer trek to their destination as before, they pay whatever they are asked.
"We always charge high on students whenever they get Helb. We reap big during this period though it is always for a short time," said one of the Boda Boda operators.
The turnout in class during this period very low. Many students are on a drinking spree and attending class with such a heavy pocket is uncalled for.
In the University of Eldoret, students who always flock to Sogomo trading center to buy second-hand clothes will never be seen. They visit boutique to have a taste of classy and expensive clothes.
"With Helb, I am able to buy first-class clothes at the boutique. I can not wear second-hand clothes all my campus life," said Naomi, the student at the university.
With all this kind of spending, the students are broke within some few days. They have been advocating for an increase in Helb money but with this kind of expenditure, even a million will still be peanuts to them.