Principal Secretary of the State Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development, Susan Mang’eni, has announced that Kenyans who initially borrowed Ksh 500 from the Hustler Fund can now borrow up to Ksh 150,000.
During a town hall meeting on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, the PS explained that there are three loan products available: the Personal Loan, the Group Loan, and the Bridge Loan.
Borrowers can qualify for higher amounts if they meet the criteria for these products.
“Many may not realize that you can graduate to the Bridge Loan based on your rating from the Personal Loan. We have people who started with Ksh 500 and today are able to borrow up to Ksh 150,000 through the Bridge Loan,” the PS stated.
Govt Says Kenyans Can Now Borrow Husler Fund from Ksh 500 to Ksh 150,000
According to Mang’eni, the Bridge Loan is the product that allows Hustler Fund borrowers to upgrade their borrowing capabilities. To qualify for the higher loan limit, borrowers must maintain a good credit score with their Personal Loan repayments.
“As we speak, those who are managing their loans well can access higher limits. We’ve found that people using personal loans to invest in businesses, while others may use the funds for consumption—there’s nothing wrong with that.
Let me clarify: borrowing for consumption is acceptable. When it comes to the Bridge Loan, we are now focusing on business growth. Currently, approximately 600,000 Kenyans have graduated to the Bridge Loan product,” the PS added.
Also Read: Exposed: Ruto’s Hustler Fund was a Trap for Kenyan Businesses
The PS also mentioned that individuals applying for the Bridge Loan are asked to specify their borrowing purposes, and many indicate the sectors in which they are operating their businesses.
About the Loan Products
The Hustler Fund, officially known as the Financial Inclusion Fund, was launched by President William Ruto on November 30, 2022, at the Green Park Terminus in Nairobi, Kenya.
Also Read: Ruto Explains How Eldoret Shylock Inspired Hustler Fund
This initiative was a key campaign promise during the 2022 presidential election, aimed at providing affordable credit to small-scale traders, entrepreneurs, and individuals, particularly in the informal sector, to enhance financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
The Hustler Fund offers three main loan products, each catering to different borrower needs and growth stages:
- Personal Loan Product: Introduced at the fund’s launch, this product begins with a base limit of Ksh 500. Through consistent borrowing and timely repayment, borrowers can gradually increase their limit to as much as Ksh 50,000, thereby rewarding financial discipline.
- Group Loan Product: Launched in June 2023, this product allows individuals to form borrowing groups where their loan limits are combined. For instance, if one member has a limit of Ksh 500 and another has Ksh 20,000, the group can borrow the total amount. Members co-guarantee each other, enabling the group to access more funds than they would individually.
- Bridge Loan Product: Introduced during the fund’s second anniversary, this loan targets borrowers with strong repayment records and business potential. It offers higher loan limits and serves as a stepping stone for beneficiaries looking to scale up and transition into larger, sustainable business ventures.
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