Thread by @GideonKeter

I will MOBILIZE the MEMBERS in the HOUSE to REJECT committee RECOMMENDATION of the BILL

*_HELB Penalties (60K per year) + Interest are worse than SHYLOCKS._*

I read the report by @FaithNyamai in the Daily Nation today #HELB

and l remembered how recently the country was in a heated conversation on giving Kenyan youths a tax holiday of 7 years.
#HELB

Yet when l presented a HELB Loan (Amendment) Bill 2020 to provide a much-needed cure for high penalties and a 5-year reprieve for those who fail to get a job within that period, it was rejected by the Education committee chaired by FLORENCE MUTUA. and NGUNJIRI WAMBUGU*
#HELB

As the youths’ representative in Parliament, I'm aware of the challenges youths and persons with disabilities face to get jobs, most of them often searching for jobs for years without success.

The Bill was to provide deserving reprieve to those who fail to get jobs.

#HELB

Joblessness is still a huge menace in this country. *The Public Service Commission, for instance, employed only 1,800 graduates in the 2019/20 financial year against 500,000 graduates who acquired degrees that year.*
#HELB

*Recently, the National Treasury issued an indefinite moratorium on fresh employment in the civil service further denting any hopes of the youths ever working in the government in the near future.* #HELB

Youths are always looking upon the government for employment but with the government closing one door after another, it is almost impossible for them to service Helb loans. #HELB

Therefore, five years should be enough for a graduate to get a reliable job or set up a start-up business to be able to start servicing their loans. #HELB

*Expecting a jobless graduate to start repaying a loan a year after graduating is unimaginable. Imposing punitive penalties of Sh 60, 000 per year for failing to do so is unacceptable.* #HELB

The struggle to save this bill is not over yet. I have members who are in agreement with my proposals and *WE WILL SHOOT DOWN THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS*
#HELB

*FINALLY, "l appreciate so much how Kenyan youths have given their respective Members of Parliament ruthless pressure on this bill, most have called me and assured me of full support when it gets to be debated, KEEP THE PRESSURE ON*" #HELB