For thousands of employed graduates across Kenya, repayment of Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) loans begins as soon as they secure formal employment. Employers are expected to deduct the required amounts from employees' salaries and remit them to HELB within the prescribed timelines. The system is designed to ensure that loan repayments are made consistently while protecting borrowers from penalties, arrears, and additional interest charges.

Problems arise when deductions are made from employees' salaries but fail to reach HELB accounts. In such situations, workers find themselves trapped in a frustrating position: their payslips show deductions, yet their HELB statements continue accumulating arrears, penalties, and compliance issues. The financial consequences can be significant, especially for young professionals who are already struggling with the high cost of living and other financial obligations.

The issue becomes even more concerning when employees claim that their efforts to seek clarification are met with evasive responses, intimidation, or attempts to shift blame. Workers have a right to know where money deducted from their salaries is going and whether statutory obligations are being fulfilled as required by law.

Hello Nyakundi,

Kindly hide my identity.

I work at Panda Mart, where staff management is handled by a human resource agency known as Pearl Space Management Limited.

I would like to raise concerns regarding HELB deductions that have allegedly been made from employees' salaries since January 2026 but have not been remitted to HELB.

Following directives requiring employers to facilitate loan repayments, deductions began appearing on my payslip and those of other employees who have HELB loans.

Like many workers, I assumed the deductions were being remitted as required.

However, after checking my HELB account, I discovered that no corresponding payments had been reflected.

At first, I thought it might be a system delay.

But after conducting further follow-ups and making inquiries, I learned that the problem had persisted for months.

I personally contacted HELB and was informed that no remittances had been received despite the deductions continuing to be made from my salary.

When I raised the issue with those responsible, instead of receiving clear answers, I was repeatedly taken in circles.

On several occasions, I was asked whether I was accusing them of stealing.

The discussion would then shift away from the actual issue of where the deducted money had gone.

I have tried to be patient.

I have followed up repeatedly.

I have waited for months hoping the issue would be corrected.

But nothing changes.

Meanwhile, HELB continues to treat the loan as unpaid because the money never reaches my account.

As a result, I continue to accumulate penalties, arrears, and compliance issues despite faithfully having deductions made from my salary every month.

What makes this situation particularly troubling is that many employees never check their HELB statements.

Most workers simply assume that because the deduction appears on their payslip, the money has been remitted.

In my view, this allows the problem to continue unnoticed because employees are relying on trust.

Only those who actively monitor their HELB accounts discover that there is a discrepancy.

I am therefore appealing to HELB, the Ministry of Labour, and the relevant regulatory authorities to investigate this matter urgently.

If deductions are being made, employees deserve proof that the money has been remitted.

If there are delays, employees deserve an explanation.

If there are outstanding amounts being held somewhere within the system, those funds should be immediately forwarded to HELB so that workers are not unfairly penalized.

As things stand, I feel trapped in a situation where money is being deducted from my salary every month, yet I am still being treated as a defaulter by HELB.

That cannot be right.

I am not refusing to pay my loan.

In fact, the money is already being deducted.

My question is simple: if the deductions are being made, where is the money going?

Concerned Panda Mart Employee.