Gachagua Slams Nairobi Senator Sifuna for ‘Inciting’ Kenyans Not to Repay Hustler Fund Loans

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit out at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna for urging Kenyans not to repay Hustler Fund loans.

Speaking in Murang’a on Saturday, Gachagua said Sifuna’s remarks amount to incitement, adding that they do not reflect his status as an elected leader.

“Nimeona huyu Senator wa Azimio huko Nairobi akiambia watu wa Azimio ati wakope hiyo pesa na wasilipe ati wakule. Sasa, si hiyo ni ujinga?” Gachagua posed.

“If you find a leader anasimama, na ni kiongozi amechaguliwa, na anaambia wananchi ati kopa pesa na usilipe, huyo ni kiongozi kweli? Hao viongozi wa Azimio wamepotea…that is the kind of retrogressive politics ilifanya sisi tukatae hiyo mambo ya Azimio.”

Gachagua further told off a section of opposition leaders who dismissed the Hustler Fund’s minimum personal loan of Sh500 as of no consequential value to ordinary Kenyans, labeling them ignorant.

 “Wale watu wanaongea kwa TV kuongea mambo ya Hustlers Fund, mtoke kwa TV mkuje huku ground mpate ya kwamba Sh1,000 inaweza inua na kubadilisha maishaya  mwananchi wa kawaida,” he said.

“Mtu ambaye ako na biashara ya mtura, Sh1,000 inampatia stock ya siku tatu na anapata faida. Sisi ni wangwana…dawa ya kukopa ni kulipa. Mkope hiyo pesa na ulipe. Ndio ukope kesho yake na wiki ijayo. Na rafiki yako pia akope,” he added.

Senator Sifuna had earlier accused Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration of hoodwinking Kenyans during campaigns, saying they promised that the Hustler Fund would be a grant. The senator urged his supporters to embrace the Hustler Fund as grants rather than loans.

“This is not what was promised during the campaign. During the campaign, the hustlers were told that they would be receiving a grant which would not be subject to any interest for them to support their businesses,” Sifuna said. “Help Ruto keep his own promises. Convert that loan into the grant he promised. He will do you nothing.”