How to use Safaricom Bonga Points to repay Hustler Fund debt
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 25, 2026Hustler Fund borrowers can now clear outstanding loans with Safaricom Bonga Points. The Financial Inclusion Fund introduced this option in July 2026 to give people another simple way to repay and to raise recovery rates.
The fund faces a 15 per cent default rate, equal to about Ksh12.5 billion as of March 2026. Treasury has cut fresh government funding, so the scheme must rely more on repayments to stay open. In the first week the Bonga Points option recovered Ksh3 million.
Fund Chief Executive Henry Tanui explained the thinking:
“The idea is that if there are other convenient options for borrowers to repay, then we should make them available.”
Safaricom customers hold Bonga Points worth Ksh3.6 billion. Many people who use their phones regularly already have points sitting unused. Using them for Hustler Fund debt turns those points into real progress on a loan.
Current conversion rate
Five Bonga Points currently equal Ksh1. A borrower therefore needs roughly 2,500 points to clear a Ksh500 loan. Safaricom stresses that the value is not fixed. It can change according to past redemption patterns, so always check the exact amount shown on the menu before you confirm.
Step-by-step guide to repay with Bonga Points
- Dial *254# on your Safaricom line.
- Select the Hustler Fund option, then choose Personal Loan.
- Select Repay Loan.
- Choose Pay for Self (or Pay for Other if you are paying for someone else).
- Select Bonga Points as the payment method.
The system will show you two key figures:
- Your outstanding loan balance
- The number of Bonga Points you currently have
- Enter the amount you want to repay (make sure it does not exceed the value of your available points). Remember: 5 Bonga Points are currently worth about Ksh1.
- Confirm the details.
- Enter your M-Pesa PIN to complete the transaction.
You will receive an SMS confirming the payment and your new outstanding balance.
Practical points to remember
- You need enough Bonga Points to cover the amount you choose. If the points fall short, the menu will tell you.
- You can only spend the Bonga Points that belong to the line you are operating from – whether you are paying your own loan or someone else’s.
- Keep a note of your remaining points after each redemption so you know what is left for other uses.
- Prompt repayment still matters. The fund continues to link consistent payment with higher loan limits.
Why this option helps borrowers
Many Kenyans earn Bonga Points simply by using airtime, data and SMS. Turning those points into loan repayments removes the need to find extra cash on a tight day. It also supports the fund’s move toward self-sustainability after government allocations dropped from Ksh20 billion at launch to Ksh300 million in the year ending June 2026.
By March 2026 the fund had disbursed Ksh83 billion and recovered Ksh71 billion. The new repayment channel adds another practical route for the remaining balances.
If you have an outstanding Hustler Fund loan and unused Bonga Points, open the *254# menu today and check the option. The process takes less than a minute and gives you an immediate reduction in what you owe.