Government-backed financial inclusion fund that has disbursed Sh87 billion to 28 million accounts since 2022, improving credit access for previously excluded Kenyans.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
… He cited the rollout of the Hustler Fund, the Affordable Housing Programme, construction of modern markets and university hostels, saying the projects had created about 700,000 jobs for Kenyans. …
Ruto warns against tribal politics, empty rhetoricCitizen Digital
Hustler Fund has saved Kenyans from CRB and unfair borrowing - Ruto By Citizen Reporter June 30, 2026 09:45 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter President William Ruto speaking during the 2026 World MSME Day cel …
Hustler Fund has saved Kenyans from CRB and unfair borrowing - RutoThe Standard
… Speaking during the World MSME Day celebrations in Nairobi, the President challenged lenders to rethink their business models, pointing to the government-backed Hustler Fund as proof that profitable lending is possible at single-digit interest rates. …
Banks caught between Ruto's lending push, rising bad loansCitizen Digital
… On access to finance, Ruto said Ksh.90 billion has so far been disbursed through the Hustler Fund to more than 27 million Kenyans over the last three years. …
Ruto urges banks to increase lending to MSMEs as gov't unveils revised policyCapital News
… He also said the government has disbursed KSh90 billion through the Hustler Fund to more than 27 million Kenyans over the past three years. …
President Ruto Challenges Banks to Support Youth and Small EnterprisesThe Standard
… Has the Hustler Fund created enterprises? Energy was mentioned, with the number connected to the grid. …
Budget 2026-27: The long and short of itCapital News
… Ruto praised Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya for what he termed the revitalisation of the ministry and the expansion of financial inclusion programmes targeting ordinary Kenyans, noting the growth of the Hustler Fund to Sh90 billion. …
Ruto launches Shirikiana Sacco, hails it as catalyst for economic transformationCapital News
NAIROBI, Kenya June 11 – The National Treasury has disbursed Sh87 billion through the Hustler Fund since the programme was introduced in 2022, reaching 28 million accounts and extending formal financial services to millions of people who previously had little or no access to cred …
Treasury Says Hustler Fund Has Disbursed Sh87bn Since LaunchCapital News
NAIROBI, Kenya May 22 – Questions over the sustainability of the Hustler Fund dominated a parliamentary committee session reviewing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development empowerment programmes. …
Hustler Fund Sustainability Concerns Dominate Budget TalksThe Standard
… Many then attach value to immediate income rather than long-term mastery, trading potential for short-term survival.While government initiatives such as the Hustler Fund provide access to capital, the evidence on their impact is mixed. …
Why Kenya's 'A' students are failing in the school of lifePresident William Ruto criticized leaders using abusive language to stir ethnic divisions and urged Kenyans to judge politicians by their development record rather than divisive rhetoric. Speaking at a church service in Embu, Ruto said his administration will not tolerate tribal politics and ruled out collaborating with leaders who rely on tribalism, insults, and hate speech.
5 July 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto criticized leaders using abusive language to stir ethnic divisions and urged Kenyans to judge politicians by their development record rather than divisive rhetoric. Speaking at a church service in Embu, Ruto said his administration will not tolerate tribal politics and ruled out collaborating with leaders who rely on tribalism, insults, and hate speech.
5 July 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto stated that the Financial Inclusion Fund (Hustler Fund) has provided cheap credit to borrowers blacklisted by Credit Reference Bureaus, with 2 million people's credit ratings significantly improved and 960,000 having graduated to borrowing up to Ksh.150,000.
30 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto has renewed criticism of Kenya's commercial banks, accusing them of denying small businesses access to affordable credit despite posting record profits, and challenged lenders to rethink their business models, citing the government-backed Hustler Fund as proof that profitable lending is possible at single-digit interest rates.
30 June 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto called on commercial banks to increase lending to micro, small and medium enterprises, stating that MSMEs contribute about 40 per cent of Kenya's economy but remain largely excluded from formal financial services. He noted that despite commercial banks lending about Ksh.1 trillion to the sector over the past three years, this remains insufficient for small businesses to flourish.
27 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto challenged Kenya's banking sector to increase lending to micro, small and medium enterprises, saying small businesses contribute nearly 40 per cent of Kenya's economy but remain underfunded despite a KSh3 trillion financing gap. He noted that although commercial banks have extended about KSh1 trillion in credit to the sector over the last three years, this remains insufficient to support MSMEs' growth potential.
27 June 2026 · Capital News →
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi delivered the 2026-27 budget speech at Parliament, addressing cost of living, employment, and growth, while highlighting achievements in economic growth, agriculture, health, and housing. The opinion piece critiques the budget's presentation and notes missing indicators such as productivity.
15 June 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto launched Shirikiana Sacco, a new cooperative financial institution aimed at expanding access to savings, affordable credit and investment opportunities. The President praised Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya for his work on financial inclusion, noting the Hustler Fund has grown to Sh90 billion.
13 June 2026 · Capital News →
The National Treasury has disbursed Sh87 billion through the Hustler Fund since its 2022 launch, reaching 28 million accounts and extending formal financial services to millions previously lacking credit access. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the fund has brought millions into the formal financial ecosystem, including 4.5 million Kenyans who were previously listed on credit reference bureaus and are now building formal credit records.
11 June 2026 · Capital News →
Lawmakers on the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning raised concerns about the Hustler Fund's reliance on taxpayer funding rather than operating as a self-sustaining revolving facility. The State Department for MSMEs Development has disbursed KSh14.4 billion from the fund and is seeking KSh11.3 billion for NYOTA Programme expansion and KSh5 billion to address liquidity challenges, but MPs urged stronger financial literacy training before releasing additional funds.
22 May 2026 · Capital News →
Kenya created 822,100 new jobs in 2025, but nearly nine in ten are in the informal sector, and the share of formal employment has fallen from 18.5 per cent in 2010 to 15.5 per cent in 2024. Research shows 65 per cent of Kenyan graduates work in jobs below their education level, while youth unemployment stood at 11.9 per cent in 2024, reflecting a structural gap between academic achievement and stable employment.
4 May 2026 · The Standard →