President Ruto reveals number of Kenyans struggling to repay Hustler Fund loans

President William Ruto has revealed the number of Kenyans struggling to pay loans taken from the Hustle Fund.

The fund which was launched on December 1, 2022, has attracted a total of 18 million Kenyans who registered on the platform.

Ruto said that of the 18 million users, 15 million Kenyans had taken loans worth Sh17 billion.

He added that from the Sh17 billion loans taken, some 800,000 citizens were behind schedule on their loan repayments, while more than 14.2 million Kenyans were servicing their debts regularly.

President William Ruto speaks during the ground breaking ceremony for the proposed Shauri Moyo ‘A’ affordable housing project, Nairobi County Pulse Live Kenya

“800,000 of them have challenges because they have exceeded the time they were supposed to pay,” he said, adding that “I am sure they will catch up.”

Within two months, the 15 million borrowers have saved about Sh850 million from the 5% which is automatically deducted when the loan is disbursed.

READ: How to apply for Hustler Fund loan via mobile app, USSD

“We want to build a sense of savings in Kenya because development and investment is a function of savings. If we don’t save we cannot borrow.

“The reason the Kenya Police Sacco is lending is that people are saving,” he said during the celebration of the sacco’s 50th anniversary.

READ: Ruto appoints Hustler Fund chairperson

Out of the 14.2 million Kenyans servicing their loans regularly, the government had identified about 6 million low-risk borrowers who would be rewarded with an increase in their loan limits.

By the end of February, the fund would grade borrowers depending on how they had been servicing their loans, and the grades would be reviewed after every 4 months.

President William Ruto in Homa Bay County Pulse Live Kenya

“We are going to review the credit limit of every member every four months. We will add a ceiling for you.

“At the end of this month, every borrower will be assigned a financial grade and you can know (whether you are in the good books or need to improve),” President Ruto said.

The head of state also announced that the second phase of the Hustler Fund would also be launched to allow groups to take loans of up to Sh500,000.