In 2019, Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed announced that unemployed university graduates would not face forced repayment of Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) debts, stating only employed individuals would be tracked for repayment obligations.
The declaration was made during a visit to Butula Girls Secondary School in Busia county, where she distributed sanitary towels to students. Mohammed emphasized that graduates who had been employed for 10 to 15 years should engage with HELB to negotiate repayment terms.
She defended the review of 133 courses, asserting they aligned with Kenya's economic needs. "No student is enrolled in a useless course. These programs are relevant to the national economy," she stated.
Busia Kuppet Executive Secretary Moffat Okisai criticized the Commission for University Education (CUE) for banning the 133 degrees, arguing it left students without job prospects. Okisai called on HELB to forgive loans for affected graduates, noting their unemployment and financial hardship.
Meru legislators John Paul Mwirigi and Mpuru Aburi proposed amending the HELB Act of 1995 to delay repayment until graduates secured employment. Mwirigi highlighted that current regulations required repayment within one year of graduation, despite many graduates struggling to find work. "Interest accrual begins immediately, despite the difficulty in securing employment," he said.
Aburi advocated for government-supported internships and job creation to assist graduates. The Ministry of Education is also revising the Higher Education Financing Policy to improve financial sustainability.
Previous measures included a 2018 directive granting 100% penalty waivers for HELB defaulters until June 30, 2018.
