Kenya Kwanza MPs defend Hustler Fund, dismiss KHRC report as propaganda

Speaking during an empowerment event in Makueni County, the lawmakers dismissed the report as politically motivated propaganda.

They defended the fund as a lifeline for economically marginalised Kenyans, arguing that critics of the initiative are individuals who do not rely on it for support.

The KHRC report criticised the fund as an economically flawed project that has failed to deliver on its promises of financial empowerment for low-income Kenyans.

"Kuna watu wanatoanisha hustler… it cannot work for you because you may not need Ksh.500 or Ksh.1,000. Tuwachane na siasa mingi, hii hustler fund imesaidia wengi sana," Mwala MP Vincent Musau said.

"Tumeanza kufanya empowerment wameanza kushikwa na butwaa. Watu wa Kibwezi, mnataka tuwache hii empowerment ama tuendelee?" Mwengi Mutuse, Kibwezi West MP, posed. 

At the same time, the lawmakers, led by President William Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, took aim at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of advancing tribal politics.

"Ukabila iko na uchochezi… ukabila iko na chuki. Na historia itaandikwa kwamba huyu mjumbe wenu Mutuse alisaidia kuweka mswada wa kufukuza ukabila," Kibet noted.

They further criticised Gachagua’s tenure as deputy president, describing it as one marked by “zero achievements,” and urged the Kamba community not to be swayed by his rhetoric.

Gachagua, who is currently on a tour of the United States engaging with the Kenyan diaspora, has been throwing jabs at the Ruto administration from overseas.