Odera Kodera, a 2015 economics graduate from Moi University, has never secured stable employment since leaving university. Relying on freelance work and tax consultancy, he struggles to manage his Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) debt, which grows monthly due to unpaid installments. In 2017, he lost a government job opportunity after Helb denied him clearance due to outstanding payments, highlighting the system's punitive approach to graduates.
Pauline Suter, who graduated from Kenyatta University in 2008, faced similar challenges. After a nine-month contract job, she could only afford Sh1,000 monthly payments on a Sh732,000 debt. When her contract ended, she stopped paying and remained unemployed for years before resuming repayments through small businesses. Helb later reduced her debt to Sh500,000, but she emphasized the difficulty of repaying loans while relying on unstable income.
David Kariuki, a 2006 graduate, described his Sh300,000 Helb debt as a barrier to pursuing further education. After years of unemployment, he repaid the loan by selling land he purchased with savings from poultry farming. He criticized Helb for trapping graduates in debt cycles, noting friends who changed careers to avoid financial scrutiny.
Helb CEO Charles Ringera outlined strict enforcement measures under the Helb Act, including monthly fines of at least Sh5,000 for defaulters. However, the board offers negotiation options for those in hardship, such as exemptions for students in internships or those facing illness. Drya Susan, a 2017 graduate, credited Helb’s flexibility after she paused payments during unemployment and later cleared her debt through structured repayments.
Graduates like Joseph Sosi, who graduated in 2017, argue that high interest rates exacerbate the crisis. He called for loan waivers, stating that Helb’s penalties undermine its original purpose of supporting education. Meanwhile, Desmond Walker, a 2020 University of Nairobi graduate, began repaying his loan early to avoid penalties, highlighting proactive strategies to manage debt.
Helb currently funds students at 78 universities and 130 technical institutions. Despite its mandate to recover loans since 1974, the board faces criticism for disproportionately affecting low-income graduates. Advocates urge the government to prioritize job creation as a solution to the debt crisis.
