A man in Eldoret has launched an initiative that seeks to sensitize locals at the bottom of the pyramid to form groups in readiness for the upcoming Hustlers’ Fund rollout.
The man Michael Kirwa says the initiative dubbed ‘Bottom Up Marathon’ is aimed at ensuring the hustlers get ready to benefit from financial support the Kenya Kwanza government plans to roll out.
Already, President William Ruto has said the fund will be operationalized on December 1, 2022.
Under the Hustlers Fund, the government plans to allocate Ksh50 billion that will be used to financially support small businesses that are in organized groups.
Kirwa, popularly known as ‘Waziri Bila Kazi’ (Minister without portfolio) says his initiative is to ensure every local gets an opportunity to benefit from the fund.
“When we heard Ksh50 billion for Hustlers Fund, we knew we had been saved. We want people to be in organized groups so that we can all kiss poverty goodbye,” he said during a meeting with women that earn a living through collecting leftover maize at the Kipchoge stadium open field.
The self-styled CS without portfolio believes with financial support, women can be able to transform their lives for the better.
During the sensitization event, Kirwa also distributed maize to the women, as a token of appreciation.
He says with the Huslters’ Fund roll-out set for December 1, he believes by the time President Ruto will be celebrating his birthday on December 21, there will be a lot for the hustlers to celebrate about.
First beneficiaries
“I have taken a personal initiative to join an organized group and I want these women to also do the same. Just the same way our preside started off as a chicken seller, we can also rise through the ranks to buy lorries that will in the future be used in transporting maize,” Kirwa said.
Some of the women that benefited from the donation of maize from Kirwa welcomed the idea of forming groups.
The women lamented that they had suffered a lot, and expressed optimism that once the hustler fund is rolled out, they will be among the first beneficiaries.
“We have suffered a lot. Whatever we get here is not enough. All we ask is that the government supports us financially,” said Mary Nyasuguta, one of the women that work in the open fields.
Similar sentiments were shared by Rose Atiti who has been in the job for the last 20 years.
She says they already have an organized group ready to get empowerment from the Hustlers’ Fund.
“We are happy money is now available which we hope will open a new era for us. We already have an organized group,” Atiti said.
