HELB Backtracks on Use of Police for Loan Recovery
Nairobi, Kenya – May 31, 2025 – The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has officially refuted earlier claims suggesting that it would deploy law enforcement officers to pursue loan defaulters. The clarification, issued in a public statement on Saturday, comes amid widespread criticism from Kenyans who accused the agency of threatening borrowers instead of promoting responsible repayment.
HELB emphasized that it would not use punitive or escalatory measures, such as arrests or public shaming, to recover outstanding student loans. This followed remarks by the Board’s Chief Executive Officer, Geoffrey Monari, who had earlier told the National Assembly’s Public Investment Committee that the agency was considering using law enforcement agencies to track defaulters, both locally and abroad.
In stark contrast to the CEO’s earlier presentation, the Board released a statement disavowing any such plan and distancing itself from reports alleging that chiefs would be enlisted to locate defaulters or their guarantors.
“HELB is not sending law enforcement officers after loan defaulters. This is a call to your heart, not your fear,” the statement read.
“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.”
The Board also dismissed as false any claims that it intended to publish the names and identification numbers of loan defaulters in major newspapers—a tactic that many saw as overly aggressive and humiliating.
Public Backlash and Confusion
The conflicting messages from HELB leadership stirred significant controversy. Monari’s proposal to use enforcement agencies was met with swift backlash, particularly on social media, where many Kenyans accused the agency of using fear and coercion instead of constructive engagement.
Monari, during his testimony before Parliament on May 30, defended the agency’s position, arguing that tougher measures were necessary to improve HELB’s financial sustainability.
“This is not just about finance. It’s about fostering a sense of responsibility and patriotism among those who have benefited from the fund,” Monari told lawmakers.
He said the Board was developing a comprehensive strategy to recover outstanding loans from gainfully employed graduates, including those residing abroad. However, the public interpreted this as a shift toward aggressive debt collection, prompting immediate concern.
Lawmakers’ Recommendations and HELB’s Shift
Members of the Public Investment Committee challenged HELB to rethink its approach, urging it to prioritize public outreach, education, and the use of compelling success stories from former beneficiaries to promote repayment. They also called on the Board to seek alternative sources of funding beyond government capitation, noting the heavy reliance on Treasury allocations.
In response, HELB appears to have backtracked on Monari’s earlier remarks, choosing instead to adopt a more empathetic, collaborative tone. The Board stressed that repayment is a moral and civic duty, not a criminal one, and appealed to defaulters to act out of goodwill.
The episode underscores growing concerns about rising student debt and how to sustainably fund higher education in Kenya. While HELB’s softened tone may calm some fears, the need for effective, non-coercive loan recovery remains urgent.
As of now, the agency has committed to updating its strategy, with a focus on community engagement, transparency, and restoring public trust. It is also expected to enhance its communication efforts to ensure consistency and avoid similar controversies in the future.
HELB’s decision to walk back on enforcement-based recovery measures highlights the delicate balance between encouraging loan repayment and respecting borrowers’ dignity. With public trust at stake, the Board now faces the challenge of reimagining its role—not just as a financier, but as a partner in the future of Kenyan education.
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HELB Backtracks on Use of Police for Loan Recovery