Sifuna demands transparency from Oparanya on Hustler Fund audit

David Nthua 06th August, 2025 02:59 PM

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called out the Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Ministry, led by Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, over the latest report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu.

Through his Facebook page on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Sifuna noted that the Kenya Human Rights Commission had called for the scrapping of the Hustler Fund after releasing what he termed a well-researched report.

He questioned why the ministry had chosen to dismiss the findings instead of presenting its data for comparison.

“The Kenya Human Rights Commission called for the scrapping of the Hustler Fund and gave concrete reasons. Instead of the ministry giving us its data that contradicts that of the KHRC, they dismissed the report as politically motivated. Leo Oparanya amesema he needs time to find his alternative facts,” Sifuna wrote.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna speaking to the media. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/EdwinWSifuna

Auditor General’s report

The latest Auditor General’s report paints a worrying picture of the Hustler Fund’s operations, pointing to irregular use of resources and what it describes as possible embezzlement of funds.

According to the report, some of the money meant for borrowers cannot be traced in the official records, raising questions about accountability.

In addition, the report highlights cases where details of underage individuals were reportedly registered in the system, sparking concerns over possible loopholes that could be exploited for fraud.

These findings have fuelled public debate on whether the fund is meeting its intended purpose of supporting small businesses and individuals in need.

Call for transparency

Sifuna urged the ministry to embrace openness and share clear, verifiable data with Kenyans, saying that public trust in government programmes can only be built through honesty and accountability.

He added that the conversation should focus on fixing existing problems rather than dismissing reports from independent bodies.

The ministry, on its part, has said it will respond in detail to the report once it has had time to review the findings.