Gov't finally unveils Hustler Fund oversight board

The government has finally unveiled a list of individuals expected to sit on the advisory board of President William Ruto’s flagship project, the Hustler Fund.

President Ruto, in a gazette notice dated January 20, 2023, appointed Irene Karimi as the Chairperson of the newly established Financial Inclusion Fund, popularly known as the Hustler Fund, for a period of three years.

Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, in the same gazette notice, went ahead to appoint three people to the Hustler Fund Advisory Board namely; Lawrence Kibet Chelimo, Paul Ndore Musyimi, and Hardlyne Lusui.

The appointments, made in line with Section 10 (I) of the Public Finance Management Act, will similarly last for three years effective from January 13, 2023.

“According to the regulations the board provides oversight on the administration of the Hustler Fund and consists of three other persons who are not public officers. The Fund’s administrator is an ex-officio member,” CS Chelugui said in a subsequent statement to newsrooms.

Ms. Karimi boasts over 30 years experience in project management having worked with USAID/Kenya, Chemonics International, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Kenya Investment Mechanism (KIM) among others.

She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Andrews University, Berrien Springs in Michigan, a Certified Performance Technologist (ISPI, 2007) and other relevant certificates in her field.

Mr. Chelimo, on his part, has over 16 years of experience in treasury, tax, applied intelligence and innovation, investor relations, financial reporting and analysis, strategic planning and analysis, corporate development functions and financial markets.

Prior to his appointment to the Hustler Fund board, he worked with reputable organisations among them the World Bank, DfID, Africa Development Bank, KenGen and Nairobi Stock Exchange.

He holds two bachelor's degrees in Law and  Commerce (Finance Option) and a Master's in Business Administration, all from the University of Nairobi, and is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Policy and Management (MPPM) finalist from Strathmore University.

Lawyer Musyimi, who CS Chelugui said has been a firm supporter of President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration, holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws; both from the University of Nairobi He also has a Post Graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law.

Ms. Lusui has a Bachelor of Information Science from the Kenya Methodist University and a Diploma in Information Studies from Eldoret Polytechnic. She is pursuing a Master's Degree in Women's Leadership and Governance at the University of Nairobi.

The appointments come after CS Chelugui early this month said the recommended individuals were being subjected to background checks by various State agencies.