President William Ruto has announced that the government’s flagship Hustler Fund has disbursed nearly Ksh90 billion to more than 27 million Kenyans while helping over two million borrowers previously listed by Credit Reference Bureaus (CRB) rebuild their credit standing and return to the formal financial system.

Speaking on Saturday, June 27, 2026, during World MSME Day, Ruto said the fund has become a major pillar in expanding financial inclusion by giving millions of small-scale traders and entrepreneurs access to affordable credit previously unavailable through traditional banking systems.

“Through the Hustler Fund, we have disbursed close to Ksh90 billion to more than 27 million Kenyans and mobilised over Ksh6 billion in savings from citizens the banking sector had long written off,” Ruto said.

Over 2 million borrowers rebuild credit profile

The president said one of the biggest achievements of the fund has been offering a second financial chance to Kenyans who had been negatively listed on CRB, allowing them to rebuild their borrowing history and gradually regain access to mainstream financial services.

“Today, they have a second chance, and they are making their way up the ladder. Already, over 2 million have rebuilt their credit, and they have entered the formal economy,” he said.

Ruto noted that many Kenyans who had previously been locked out of financial systems are now actively participating in economic activities through improved access to credit.

Government plans national credit scoring system

Building on the success of the fund, Ruto said the government is now developing a national credit scoring system that will allow borrowers to access financing based on their repayment discipline and financial behaviour rather than relying solely on traditional collateral requirements.

“Now we are turning that credit history into a national credit score so that character and behaviour, not just a title deed and a logbook, can unlock financing,” the president said.

Hustler Fund central to MSME growth strategy

Ruto said the initiative remains central to his administration’s plan to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises, which account for the majority of businesses in Kenya.

“In Kenya, 98 per cent of all businesses are micro, small or medium enterprises… when we speak about the future of Kenya’s economy, we are speaking above all about the future of our MSMEs,” he said.