Nominated MP Gideon Keter has drafted a Bill that seeks to protect unemployed graduates who are HELB beneficiaries from police.
The HELB Act Amendment Bill will waive interest on the principal amount loaned out to the youth until they are able to secure employment.
Currently, the board allows beneficiaries a one year grace period before they are expected to start paying back the money.
The bill will be a relief to thousands of Kenyans who are required to pay huge amounts to HELB even before becoming financially stable.
The legislator also castigated Education CS Amina Mohamed for stating that the ministry would crack down on loan defaulters.
“We are also going to partner with our law enforcement agencies to track down those holding jobs and yet are reluctant to stand up to be counted as responsible and patriotic citizens who honour their debts,” she declared.
He also cautioned the CS against threatening the youth or else he would recommend further amendments to the act.
“The remark by the CS regarding HELB loans is discrimination against young unemployed Kenyans who are trying to make ends meet,” Keter protest.
Hours after CS Amina made the announcement, the loanees took to social media to deliver a unanimous message to Amina indicating that not even the police can coerce them to pay what they cannot afford.
In their view, they suggested that dealing with graft was a better use of government resources compared to going after the jobless youth.
