The Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) has issued a public alert warning job seekers and university graduates against a growing wave of fraudsters selling counterfeit clearance and compliance certificates on social media platforms.
According to a notice shared by HELB, a fraudulent account impersonating the institution has been misleading members of the public by demanding a Ksh1,999 payment, falsely promising that the amount would be refunded once a certificate was issued and sent via email. The board cautioned applicants to remain vigilant, warning that fraudsters are actively masquerading as HELB and spreading false information. HELB urged the public to always verify communication through its official channels only.
The fake certificates are particularly dangerous for job seekers, since a valid HELB compliance certificate is a mandatory requirement for public sector employment under Chapter Six of the Constitution, alongside clearance from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. Presenting a forged certificate is a criminal offence in Kenya that can lead to automatic disqualification from job interviews and possible prosecution.
To obtain legitimate documentation, HELB advises applicants to log in to their accounts through the official HELB Portal or the eCitizen platform, using their registered credentials. Career coach Dr. Mercy Igoki notes that many students face unnecessary delays in both KUCCPS placement and HELB clearance simply because they forget login details or register using unprofessional email addresses, and recommends using a simple, professional email when creating an account.
Once logged in, applicants select the certificate that matches their status. Beneficiaries who are up to date with repayments or still within their grace period qualify for a Loanee Compliance Certificate, while those who have fully repaid their loans receive a Certificate of Clearance. Individuals who have never taken a HELB loan can apply for a Non-Loanee Compliance Certificate. A Ksh1,000 processing fee applies for eligible clearance applications, payable only through the approved channels listed on the official portal.
HELB warned that applicants in arrears will have their certificate requests blocked until they clear outstanding balances or arrange a repayment plan through official M-Pesa paybill numbers, cautioning that scammers often target defaulters with false promises to erase debt for a bribe, something the board says is technically impossible since loan data is embedded in the national registry.
Authentic certificates carry a unique QR code and serial number, which employers can verify instantly through the HELB employer portal. The board urged applicants needing assistance to visit HELB desks at Huduma Centres nationwide or use official contact channels, rather than relying on unsolicited help offered on social media.
