The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has reaffirmed that individuals who have defaulted on repaying part of the Sh60 billion disbursed under the Hustler Fund will be required to pay back the money.
Oparanya explained that the fund benefited over 20 million borrowers, but only 2 million have made the required repayments. He emphasized that the funds would be recovered to ensure they can be used to assist other Kenyans through similar initiatives.
“Those who took the funds but failed to repay must understand that the solution to debt is repayment, not evasion,” he said, stressing that defaulters would eventually be made to repay, no matter how long it takes or where they go. He added that the government’s goal with the scheme was to improve the lives of many Kenyans.
Oparanya made these remarks in Uasin Gishu County, where he participated in a dairy industry stakeholders meeting and visited Allo Dairies near Cheptiret. He was accompanied by Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea and Allo Dairies Director Geraldine Jeruto.
The CS also highlighted that the Hustler Fund is part of the government’s efforts to provide Kenyans with the means to invest in income-generating activities. He noted that the 2 million borrowers who repaid their loans had improved their credit scores and are now eligible to borrow up to Sh150,000 from the fund.
Additionally, Oparanya encouraged dairy farmers to boost productivity, as the government is committed to supporting their ventures. He mentioned that New KCC now processes over 400,000 litres of milk daily and that the company would begin paying bonuses to milk suppliers starting next month. Payments for deliveries will be made promptly between the 5th and 10th of each month.
The CS also shared his personal mobile phone number with the farmers, offering direct assistance if they encounter any issues. He advised farmers to strengthen their dairy cooperatives to improve access to funds for education and other needs and encouraged them to explore coffee farming, which he described as a profitable agricultural enterprise.
Later, Oparanya hosted a similar event in Seregea, Kakamega County.
