Drowning in Debt? Here’s How to Start Breathing Again

It is not wrong to want good things in life, but when desire leads to borrowing, debts become an unwelcome companion in the household, especially for Kenyans.

From the first morning M-PESA notification reminding you of an overdue Fuliza limit, to the string of missed calls from friends turned creditors, many Kenyans are quietly suffocating under the weight of loans both formal and informal.

The culture of borrowing has woven itself into the fabric of daily life. Young graduates step out of campus only to land straight into mobile loan apps. Parents rely on digital loans to pay school fees, settle hospital bills, or stock the small business that barely breaks even.

Others take loans to pay off older loans, a cycle that leaves many living from one borrowed shilling to the next, with little left for savings or investment.

"I just got in for a bit, started with a Fuliza of a hundred... now I've already hit two thousand," confesses Mercy, a supermarket cashier in Eldoret. “When my salary comes in, it’s all swallowed before I even touch it.”

It is a quiet crisis. Borrowers live on prayer and polite lies, too ashamed to pick up calls from friends or family they owe. Social media jokes about “silent mode phone ownership” and avoiding certain mtaa routes to escape creditors are not far from reality.

But beneath the humor lies an unsettling truth, this debt culture is robbing Kenyans of peace, productivity, and financial security.

According to recent reports, Kenya ranks among Africa’s leading users of digital loans, with millions of daily transactions through services like Fuliza, Tala, and Branch. While these platforms offer quick relief, they trap users in high-interest debt cycles that deepen poverty rather than alleviate it.

Breaking Free From Debt: A Step by Step Journey to Financial Freedom

Living under the weight of debt can feel like trying to climb a mountain with rocks in your backpack. Every purchase, every bill, and every borrowed coin adds to the strain. But escaping that weight isn't a fantasy it is a goal you can work toward with strategy, resilience, and smart choices.

Financial literacy must become a household conversation, not a conference topic for the privileged.

Face your debt. Many people avoid looking at their financial reality because it feels overwhelming or shameful. But denial only feeds the problem. Sit down and list every loan, every credit card balance, and every pending repayment. Knowing exactly what you owe puts you in the driver’s seat.

Build a budget even if your income is small. A modest income still deserves a plan. Prioritize necessities like housing, food, and transport, and then allocate what remains to savings and debt repayment.

Every shilling should have a job, even if that job is "wait for next month." Use budgeting apps or a plain notebook, what matters is consistency. Start hustling smart, once your budget is in place, you don't have to work yourself to exhaustion. Instead, tap into your strengths.

Can you cook, braid hair, tutor, or sell handmade crafts? Even part-time gigs or online freelance jobs can add up. An extra KSh 500 a week makes a big difference when you are chipping away at debt.

Talk to your creditors, do not be afraid. Contrary to popular belief, many lenders are willing to help if you are honest and proactive. Ask about reducing interest rates or restructuring your payment plan.

It is not begging, it is advocating for your financial health. Just be clear, realistic, and always get any new agreements in writing.

Do not  fall back into the trap, as you break free, avoid impulse buying and borrowing “just this once.” Build an emergency fund, even if it starts with loose change.

Surround yourself with people who support responsible choices. And celebrate each win, whether it is paying off a loan or simply sticking to your budget for a full month.

Debt doesn’t define your worth. It’s just a chapter and you’re the author with the pen in hand.