App Trapped: Digital Debt, Default and Distress

Kenya’s digital lending boom has offered quick cash at the tap of a button—but at what cost? This exposé uncovers how borrowers are falling into a trap of sky-high interest rates, harassment, and even physical threats. From Kibera to Kisumu, we hear from victims whose lives have been upended by predatory loan apps, and from experts calling for stronger regulation. As apps flourish with little oversight, a growing number of Kenyans are left battling debt, shame, and fear.