Gov't to spend Ksh.300M on 'awareness and sensitization' to recover unpaid Hustler Fund loans

The State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises is seeking the money through a supplementary budget, saying it will be used for awareness and sensitisation to push defaulters to pay up.

Out of Ksh.83 billion disbursed to Kenyans who have borrowed from the Hustler Fund, only Ksh.71 billion has been repaid. Ksh.12.5 billion is still unpaid by borrowers. The State Department of SMEs is now seeking approval from Parliament to spend Ksh.300 million to recover the funds.

"I can see here you have a curious request, 300 million to recover the Hustler Fund," Wilberforce Oundo, MP Funyula, said. 

Despite the colossal amount stated to recover debt, the department insists it will not take any legal action on defaulters, but a majority of the funds will be used to carry out sensitisation and awareness.

Henry Tanui, CEO Hustler Fund, confirmed the plan.

Apart from seeking approval for the Ksh.300 million Hustler Fund recovery expenditure, the department has also requested Ksh.27 million for the recruitment of technical personnel, Ksh.156 million for facilitation of Constituency Uwezo Fund Committees, Ksh. 100 million for office equipment, and an additional Ksh.100 million to finalize key policies.

"The 300 million requested for Hustler Fund recovery raises questions and puts PS Mangeni on the spot on the intended expenditure of the money as the State Department states the money is for sensitization and awareness purposes," Susan Mangeni, PS SMEs, noted.