Ruto touts MSMEs and Hustler Fund as keys to job creation

President William Ruto has today reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to unlocking employment opportunities through the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, which he described as the greatest untapped reservoir of jobs in the country.

Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, the President said the Hustler Fund continues to deepen financial inclusion and support entrepreneurship at scale.

"To date, over 25 million Kenyans have accessed nearly Sh70 billion through the Fund, with over Sh4.5 billion mobilised in savings. We have also introduced a nine-band credit rating system to formalise credit histories and unlock new opportunities for those without traditional collateral," said the President.

The President noted that over 4.5 million borrowers with A and B credit ratings have already qualified for the Hustler Fund Bridge product, linking them to commercial banks and easing their transition into the formal credit market.

Of these, more than 400,000 have already crossed over, with some securing loans of up to Sh150,000.

Ruto hailed these borrowers as the future of Kenya’s enterprise economy, underscoring the role of accessible credit in driving inclusive growth.