Hustlers Fund will not be free – President Ruto
President William Ruto has clarified that the Hustlers Fund, launched on December 1, 2022, will be disbursed in the form of loans and not grants.
Dr. Ruto said the Sh50 billion annual kitty, which targets small and medium-sized businesses, will give collateral-free loans to cooperative groups at single-digit interest rates.
“On December 1, we will launch the Hustler Fund, so it is up to you now to organize yourselves into Chamas, SACCOs, cooperatives, or individually.
Also read: Exclusive: Nick Ndeda on why it didn’t work out with Betty Kyallo
It is not free money; it is business money you will repay… We want to ensure that Kenyans do not fall prey to shylocks who charge extremely high-interest rates on loans,” Dr. Ruto said at a church service in Kericho County on Sunday.
“The money that will be borrowed from the Hustlers Fund will strictly be used by the small and medium enterprises to upgrade their businesses. If you borrow money from the Hustlers Fund, you will plunge it into business, and refund the government at an interest rate below 10 percent per annum.”
Also read: Exclusive: How Alikiba’s efforts to reconcile with his wife hit a brick wall
Dr. Ruto said they would involve Parliament to formulate laws to govern the operationalization of the Hustlers Fund, adding that they have put up a department in charge of the funds to ensure accountability.
“I hear some people saying committees are being formed to oversee the program’s roll-out. Let me be very clear. There is no committee being created to prepare for the Hustlers Fund.
If you try to steal government money, then we will deal with you accordingly as per the law,” he added.
The president had earlier noted that the government had put a ministry in charge of the funds to ensure accountability and that the funds reach everybody they’re meant to reach.
Also read our top stories today:
Exclusive: TikTok queen Mimo Karanja on what makes her stand out
Exclusive: Sarah Kabu on ‘shaped’ and ‘flat’ backsides
Exclusive: Inside the spellbinding relationship between Nameless and daughter, Tumiso
Exclusive! I’m still married to Anerlisa Muigai – Ben Pol denies divorce is finalised