Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary (CS) Wycliffe Oparanya has warned Kenyans who have defaulted on loans from the Hustler Fund will be blocked form accessing loans from any formal financial institution.

Oparanya delivered this information during an event in Mombasa on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 alleging that the government has formalized agreements with commercial banks and microfinance institutions.

According to Oparanya, these move will ensure that all individuals who have failed to repay their Hustler Fund loan are flagged within the national credit reference system.

“Kama haujalipa Hustler Fund, ukienda kwa benki yoyote watakwambia hawawezi kukupa pesa yoyote, ” Oparanya warned.

This loosely translates to; If you haven’t paid the Hustler Fund, when you go to any bank, they will tell you they cannot give you any money.

He made emphasized that the funds was designed to empower ordinary citizens like small-scale traders, “mama mboga’s” and boda boda riders among other low-income earners.

Oparanya warned that discipline to repay loan gives opportunity for other Kenyans also to access the credit to improve their lives.

Additional, the CS said that borrowers who default the loan makes it hard for the program to meet it’s intended purposes.

Message to Small Scale Business Owners 

Oparanya has send strong message to small-scale business owners urging them to make usefulness of loans they acquire from Hustler Fund.

This will help them grow and expand their enterprises. He emphasized that timely repayment is crucial for building creditworthiness and qualifying for future government-backed financial programs.

“The Hustler Fund is not free money. It is an empowerment tool. When you repay, you build trust with lenders and open more doors for your business growth,” Oparanya stated.

Hustler Fund was launched in December 2022 to make it affordable for all Kenyans who are excluded from formal banking institutions

A photo of Hustler Fund logo. PHOTO/Hustler Fund.

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