digital loans Stories

Kenyans borrow Sh15 billion monthly as financial woes deepen - report
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 26, 2025

The report highlights that most borrowers seek these loans for survival rather than investment.

Banks raise loan margins as deposit rates decline
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 25, 2025

In February 2025 the lending margin rose to 6.65 percent, up from 6.59 percent in January and 6.44 percent in December.

HELB offers 80 per cent penalty waiver to loan defaulters who clear their debt in full
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 24, 2025

HELB has periodically introduced such waivers to encourage loan repayment among former beneficiaries who have struggled to meet their financial obliga...

Kenya yet to utilise Sh1.3 trillion in external loans - CS Mbadi
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 19, 2025

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi revealed that these unutilized funds continue to accrue commitment and interest fees.

IMF urges Kenya to balance loans acquisition with sound economic policies
Charles Adinda  |  Mar 14, 2025

Teferra reaffirmed the IMF's commitment to deploy the Extended Fund Facility, Extended Credit Facility and Rapid Credit Facility programmes to support...

Former Universities Fund CEO Geoffrey Monari appointed new Helb boss
Lucy Mumbi  |  Mar 13, 2025

Monari takes over from Charles Ringera, whose decade-long tenure ended in December last year.

Not a choice anymore? Why borrowing is becoming a necessity in Kenya
Alfred Onyango  |  Mar 12, 2025

Slightly over one-third of Kenyans have increased their borrowing, a trend that aligns with rising living costs and delays in income.

Treasury admits to Sh220 billion excess borrowing citing delays in foreign financing
Lucy Mumbi  |  Mar 10, 2025

Legislators questioned the Treasury’s commitment to reducing public debt and adhering to its own policies.

Gathungu expresses doubt over recovery of Sh8.7 billion given out in Hustler Fund loans
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 08, 2025

It was found that the department has no internal information management system to handle loan records, disbursements, repayments, withdrawals of savin...

Hustler, Uwezo, and other funds struggle with billions in unpaid loans
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Mar 04, 2025

The Commodities Fund recorded the highest loan defaults, writing off Sh12.36 billion in loans extended to sugar companies.

Over Sh31 million in Hustler Fund loans disbursed to minors, some as young as 10 days old - audit
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 26, 2025

Findings indicate that thousands of borrowers were either below the legal age of 18 or had not yet been born when the funds were disbursed.

Over 300,000 varsity students to be affected as Helb, scholarships budget cut by Sh37bn
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 24, 2025

Inyangala warned that students and their families, particularly those from middle- and low-income backgrounds, would bear a greater financial burden.

Kenya braces for fresh IMF loan conditions as Treasury reaffirms extension
Alfred Onyango  |  Feb 20, 2025

These loans, arguably, help the country address challenges such as budget deficits, maintaining public debt sustainability and alleviating foreign exc...

Government breaches law by using Sh467.6 billion from borrowed loans for salaries
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Feb 19, 2025

The revelation underscores the cash flow pressures the government faced leading up to the 2024 tax proposals that triggered countrywide protests.

Delays in loan utilisation cost Kenya Sh18.9 billion in commitment fees over past eight years
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 16, 2025

In its latest assessment of the 2025/26 budget proposals, the PBO called for urgent measures to ensure the efficient use of borrowed funds.

Central Bank pressures 13 banks to meet Sh10 billion core capital requirement
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Feb 07, 2025

The move follows amendments to financial sector laws late last year when the President signed the Business Laws (Amendment) Bill into law.

Central Bank of Kenya warns of hefty fines for banks will not reduce lending rates
Maureen Kinyanjui  |  Feb 06, 2025

This announcement follows the CBK's latest reduction of its benchmark lending rate by 50 basis points, bringing it to 10.75 per cent from 11.25 per ce...

Varsity students to receive up to Sh60,000 Helb upkeep as state disburses Sh3.32 billion
Lucy Mumbi  |  Feb 04, 2025

The CS confirmed the release and noted that each student will receive between Sh40,000 and Sh60,000.

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