A majority of Kenyans have named the launch of Hustler Fund as one of President William Ruto’s early successes.
According to the latest research by TIFA, the Hustler Fund received more mentions amongst Kenyans when asked about the early successes of the Kenya Kwanza government.
The fund which President Ruto launched in November 2022 received 29 per cent of mentions from Kenyans when asked about the government’s successful projects so far.
37 per cent of Kenya Kwanza supporters mentioned it as the government’s success so far compared to 22 per cent of Azimio supporters.
“…the launch of the Hustler Fund receives far more mentions (29%) as an early success of the Ruto government than any other policy initiative or legislative enactment, which applies equally to Kenya Kwanza and Azimio supporters,” read part of the report launched on March 29, 2023.
“The next most frequent mentions subsidized fertilizer, greater national unity and enhanced security attract far less attention (5% and 4%-4%, respectively,” it added.
When he launched the Hustler Fund, President Ruto said it was meant to give Kenyans blacklisted from getting loans a second chance.
The initiative allows Kenyans to borrow between Ksh500 and Ksh50,000 which is deposited directly into their mobile phones.
An update that the Head of State issued last week indicated that over Ksh24 billion had been disbursed to Kenyans across the country through the Hustler Fund.
At least 19 million Kenyans have borrowed from the fund with 36.5 million transactions recorded so far.
Fertilizer subsidy
Subsidizing the cost of fertilizer ranked second in mentions from Kenyans as the government’s early success with 5 per cent, followed by enhancing national security.
The government is proving fertilizer to farmers at a subsidized cost of Ksh3,500 per 90-kilogram bag.
Improving security, completing/launching infrastructure projects and reducing the cost of basic commodities each had a 4 per cent mentions from Kenyans interviewed by the TIFA Research.
Others mentioned are extending the electricity grid and providing jobs/financial needs to the needy.
The Kenya Kwanza government was inaugurated in September 2022.
