Hustler Fund CEO Henry Tanui Warns Defaulters: “We Will Find You Using Your National ID”

Government activates National ID tracking and Data Protection Office records to recover Ksh12 billion in unpaid Hustler Fund loans

By Staff Reporter | Nairobi, Kenya

NAIROBI — The government has issued a stern warning to Hustler Fund defaulters, with Hustler Fund Chief Executive Officer Henry Tanui revealing that authorities are deploying National Identification records and geo-location data to track and recover billions of shillings in unpaid loans.

Appearing before the National Assembly Special Funds Accounts Committee on March 5, 2026, Tanui confirmed that new mechanisms are now in place to pursue borrowers who have deliberately avoided repaying the widely-used microcredit facility.

“The young people who think that they can borrow money from the government and disappear, they can’t, because we know how we will get you,” Tanui told the committee.

Ksh12 Billion Still Unpaid Since 2022 Launch

Since the Hustler Fund was launched on November 30, 2022, by President William Ruto, Kenyans have collectively borrowed approximately Ksh83 billion through the programme. Of that figure, roughly Ksh71 billion has been repaid — leaving an outstanding balance of Ksh12 billion yet to be recovered.

The figures prompted sharp questioning from lawmakers seeking clarity on how the government plans to restore repayment discipline and ensure the long-term sustainability of an initiative designed to provide affordable credit to small-scale entrepreneurs and ordinary Kenyans.

The Financial Inclusion Fund — popularly known as the Hustler Fund — offers loans at an annual interest rate of 8 per cent, targeting small traders, micro-businesses and individuals who have historically been excluded from formal financial services.

National ID Data to Be Used in Defaulter Crackdown

At the heart of the government’s recovery strategy is the link between each Hustler Fund loan and the borrower’s National Identification number. Tanui explained that when applicants registered for the fund, they submitted both their identification details and location information during the onboarding process — data that can now be used to trace individuals who fail to repay.

“The loan is tied to the National ID, and that ID can give the government the geographical location where you are because during onboarding you provide your location details,” Tanui told the committee.

The CEO further disclosed that authorities have received approval from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to access records connected to approximately 20 million Kenyans who registered for the fund. The move is intended to help the government monitor repayment patterns and pursue borrowers who attempt to evade obligations by switching phone numbers or discarding SIM cards.

“Young people who think they can borrow and disappear cannot do so because we will get to you using your IDs,” Tanui reiterated.

“The loan is tied to the National ID, and that ID can give the government the geographical location where you are because during onboarding you provide your location details.”

— Henry Tanui, CEO, Hustler Fund

Government Says No Money Has Been Lost

Despite the Ksh12 billion repayment gap and growing concerns over default rates among legislators, Tanui maintained that the government has not lost money through the programme. He expressed confidence that outstanding amounts will ultimately be recovered through the new tracking mechanisms now being activated.

The Hustler Fund was conceived as a flagship financial inclusion initiative under President Ruto’s administration, aimed at unlocking credit access for millions of Kenyans previously shut out of the banking system. With over 20 million registered users, it remains one of the most widely accessed government lending programmes in the country’s history.

The latest crackdown signals a significant shift in the government’s approach — moving from passive monitoring to active enforcement as pressure mounts to demonstrate fiscal accountability over public lending funds.

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Reporting: Staff Reporter | Edited: News Desk | Published: 6 March 2026