How Helb can end reliance on Treasury for funds

KENYA: This week President Uhuru Kenyatta rejected the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) Bill. The Bill sought to compel Helb to give loans to all regular students at public universities. It also sought to provide a loophole for graduates to opt out of their payment obligations if they did not have a job.

In rejecting the Bill the President cited its discriminatory nature (by only focusing on “regular” students) and the fact that the move would increase government expenditure at a time when the Treasury is cash-strapped. I agree with the President. The Bill was poorly thought out, and created strong incentives for loanees to default. The fact that the Bill made it all the way to the President’s desk is an indictment of our legislative processes. Do we ever pause to think about the implications of the laws we pass? Is there anyone in Parliament willing to stand up for sanity and rationality?