Kenyan Newspapers Review: William Ruto Says Hustler Fund Defaulters To Be Blocked From Borrowing

On Friday, August 25, President William Ruto warned Hustler Fund borrowers who had defaulted to repay their loans or risk being locked out.

The dailies also delved into Ruto's secret talks with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga in the presence of former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo.

1. The Standard

The publication noted Ruto cautioned Hustler Fund borrowers against defaulting.

Speaking in Rongai, Nakuru county, while issuing title deeds to over 800,000 residents, the head of state revealed that 77% of borrowers had repaid their loans.

He said there would be no escape route for defaulters.

"The government will ensure every borrower repays the loan. No one will escape or default on the repayment," Ruto said.

The president warned defaulters that they would not access the KSh 10 billion set aside by the government to support businesses.

He said over seven million Kenyans who defaulted on loan repayments had been delisted from Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs).

2. Daily Nation

President William Ruto met former prime minister Raila Odinga in the presence of former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo to iron out contentious issues raised by the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party.

During the meeting, Ruto ruled out negotiations over the high cost of living, arguing the matter was in court.

"Ruto put it before Obasanjo and Raila that the cost of living cannot be part of discussions. We are prepared to go full hog on some of these issues," Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka disclosed.

The 10-member technical meeting that was chosen by both warring sides agreed on the following:

• Reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
• Boundaries delimitation.
• Entrenchment of the Office of Leader of Opposition and Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.
• Entrenchment of National Government Constituency Development Fund.
• Creation of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and Senate Oversight Fund.

3. People Daily

The paper delved into the fees crisis facing university students after the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) portal crashed.

Following the crashing of the portal, desperate freshers turned up at HELB's headquarters to secure loans to fund their studies.

Other challenges facing students are slow registration and ghost courses not listed on the portal.

Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu asked universities to hand students one month to pay fees.

"All students who have been placed will be eligible for funding. Universities start admissions on August 24 to September 25. They have been requested to give students one month to process loans and scholarships from the opening date," Machogu told MPs.

4. Taifa Leo

Taifa Leo reported on the political rise of Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah.

Ichung'wah, the National Assembly's majority leader, has emerged as one of the most powerful men in President William Ruto's inner circle.

The MP is the new 'Total Man', a nickname coined during the Moi era. The late Cabinet minister Nicholas Biwott used the moniker.

Ichung'wah recently put Sports CS Ababu Namwamba to task over the alleged mismanagement of Kenyan sports.