Saturday, May 31, 2025 - The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has announced plans to enlist police support in tracking down loan defaulters in a renewed push to recover billions in unpaid student loans.
The move, revealed on Friday, May 30th, aims to
boost the board’s financial sustainability and ensure more needy students can
access funding.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Public Investments
Committee on Governance and Education, HELB CEO Geoffrey Monari said the board
is finalising a partnership with law enforcement agencies to trace
beneficiaries who are employed, both in Kenya and abroad, but have failed to
begin repayment.
“This is not just about finances. It’s about responsibility
and patriotism. Loan repayment enables future students to benefit from the same
support,” Monari told MPs.
He warned that high default rates are threatening HELB’s
revolving fund model, which relies on recovered loans to support new
applicants.
Committee members, however, urged HELB to improve public
awareness through testimonials, media campaigns, and alternative fundraising
methods.
Monari said the crackdown comes after repeated warnings went
unheeded. HELB had earlier issued a notice offering an 80 per cent penalty
waiver for those who clear their balances in full.
Many defaulters have blamed unemployment, urging HELB to
extend the grace period to allow job-seeking time.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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