The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has announced a month-long discount on penalties to woo loan defaulters.
In a poster published on MyGov on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, HELB informed loanees that they would receive an 80 per cent discount if they paid their credit.
According to the loans board, the discount period would run between June and July 2025.
“Enjoy 80 per cent penalty discount when you repay your loan in full between June and July 2025,” HELB announced through MyGov.
Urging tone
In a soft-toned statement, HELB informed its beneficiaries that repaying the loan would help other students joining institutions of higher learning to receive financial aid.
“That HELB loan opened the door to your education. Now, your repayment can light the path for another dreamer. Support a future, repay with purpose,” HELB urged beneficiaries.
The use of a soft tone came days after HELB went viral for stating that they would start using law enforcement officers to track loan defaulters, a move that they backtracked on after it generated heat online.
In May 2025, HELB CEO Geoffrey Monari told the National Assembly’s Public Investment Committee that it would be taking decisive action against the defaulters.
Monari, in his presentation to the MPs, revealed a planned strategy to improve the Board’s finances through a concerted loan recovery effort, which included using law enforcement officers to recover the funds.
“This is not just about finance. It’s about fostering a sense of responsibility and patriotism among those who have benefited from the fund,” he told the lawmakers.
However, HELB later dismissed the claims, insisting that loan repayment was a personal initiative.
“When you repay your loan, you’re not just clearing a debt; you’re giving another Kenyan the chance to learn, grow, and rise. Let’s lift each other, one dream at a time,” HELB clarified.
To ensure compliance, the HELB Act under Section 15 (2) stipulates that loanees, who default on loan repayment, including those who are employed, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not less than five thousand shillings in respect of each loan deduction that remains unpaid.
This is in addition to any other action that the Board may take against the defaulter. The additional action can be interpreted to include civil and criminal actions.
