Kenyan Man Buys New Safaricom Line, Finds Out It Has Hustler Fund Loan: "I'm Wondering"

• Safaricom customer Dickson Mutuku was left frustrated after purchasing a new Safaricom line with a Hustler Fund loan
• Mutuku voiced his complaint upon realising that his seemingly ordinary SIM card acquisition carried an additional financial responsibility
• The giant telecommunications company acknowledged the concern and assured that it was actively working to resolve it

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Dickson Mutuku, a Kenyan man who recently purchased a new Safaricom line, was left dismayed and frustrated when he discovered an unexpected burden tied to his new SIM card—a Hustler Fund loan.

Why Dickson Mutuku lamented

Taking to Facebook, Mutuku expressed his grievances, detailing the shock and disappointment he felt upon realising that his seemingly routine SIM card purchase came with an attached financial liability.

"How come a new line has a Hustler Fund loan? And the line is just a day old...I am wondering," he commented on Safaricom's New Year post.

In response to the matter at hand, Safaricom acknowledged the concern and reassured that it was actively addressing and resolving the issue.

"The client's details were requested for follow up and they will be assisted," it told TUKO.co.ke.

What is the Hustler Fund?

The Hustler Fund, a flagship project of President William Ruto, is known for providing microloans to small businesses and entrepreneurs.

A year after its launch, the fund has distributed KSh 39.7 billion among 21.8 million individuals, generating KSh 2 billion in savings, with total repayments reaching KSh 28.75 billion.

Ruto announced a new government initiative to match borrowers' long-term savings contributions, with a KSh 1 contribution for every KSh 2 saved, up to a maximum of KSh 3,000.

This was alongside an annual 12% dividend payout to Hustler Fund borrowers on their savings every December 31.

Why another customer complained to Safaricom

In related news, a Safaricom subscriber took to social media to lament after his Fuliza limit was reduced to zero amid tough economic times.

The Kenyan identified as David Yaa explained that he has been transacting on M-Pesa daily since February 2022.

He questioned why the telco slashed his limit even as the high cost of living continues to bite.

"You slashed my Fuliza limit to 0.00 and I have been doing M-Pesa transactions on a daily basis since February 2022? Nini mbaya?" he posed on Facebook.