A number of posts on Facebook have been sharing images of this card with claims that every applicant of the Hustler Fund is required to have one to access these funds. The card in question has an account number, the card holder’s name, the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) logo and an expiry date.
Being a holder of this card, “directly gets you Hustler Fund at any ATM,” these posts read. Absurdly, they add that the card can be used to, “fuel at all leading petrol stations for 90% less than what Azimo people pay.” It goes further to promise, “NSSF, NHIF, tithe, offering and savings in one place,” and also, “serves as your UDA membership card.”
Background
The Hustler Fund concept by the UDA party looks to provide funds to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. With four products; personal finance, micro-loans, SME loans and Start up, these funds offer affordable credit facilities and encourage a saving culture.
The first roll-out of these funds is expected to launch on November 30, 2022. Just a few days before this disbursement, the National Treasury published the Public Finance Management Act. These regulations will govern proper issuance of this fund.
Verification
With a minimum loan limit of Sh500 for personal and Sh50,000 maximum for personal loans, start-ups are required to be members of credit societies or investment groups. This loan is expected to be repaid within 14 days of lending and the 8% interest calculated on a daily basis.
“Everytime a beneficiary borrows, 5% of the amount goes to a savings scheme where the money earns interest” In this case, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Simon Chelugui further added, “for every Sh2 saved, the government adds, Sh1.”
Moreover, this loan having been set-up to fund MSMEs, therefore, they are not to be confused for grants to Kenyans considered to be at the bottom of the pyramid.
Speaking in Kericho County, President William Ruto clarified this saying, “this is not free money, this is business money and you will repay.”
Now to access Personal Finance , the government is yet to set-up a procedural code. This code will entail a menu which requires a short application before submission. All an applicant requires is a mobile phone and the code. With expectations that there will be websites and links requiring beneficiaries of these funds to register, Hon.Chelugui warned online fraudsters from interfering with this arrangement.
Verdict
Claims that applicants require an Automated Teller Machine card to access the Hustler Fund is FAKE.
This fact-check was produced by Africa Uncensored with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck, African Fact Checking Alliance network and the United Nations Development Programme.
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