The Board of the Financial Inclusion Fund (Hustler Fund) has appointed Henry K. Tanui as the new Chief Executive Officer on a renewable three-year term.
Tanui succeeds Elizabeth Nkukuu, who has steered the Fund since its inception.
At the handover, the Board expressed gratitude to Nkukuu for her “pioneering leadership and dedicated service,” stating that she laid a good foundation for one of the crown jewels of the Kenya Kwanza government.
In his acceptance speech, Tanui expressed confidence in the Fund’s future.
“The Hustler Fund has already proven to be catalytic in supporting livelihoods and economic growth. My focus will be on reengineering our collection processes, strengthening financial literacy, and building ecosystem lending channels that expand our reach and deepen our impact.”
Nkukuu, in her farewell remarks, thanked both the Board and Kenyans for trusting her with the role.
“It has been a privilege to serve Kenyans by establishing and launching the Hustler Fund. I am proud of the progress we have made in reaching millions of households and MSMEs. I warmly congratulate Mr. Tanui and wish him every success in expanding the Fund’s impact in the years ahead.”
Oparanya, Mangeni Praise Hustler Fund’s Impact
The new CEO, a seasoned financial services professional, brings over 24 years of industry experience in risk management, MSME lending, business lending, personal lending, mortgages, and international trade finance.
Tanui has previously served in senior leadership roles at Ecobank, Consolidated Bank of Kenya, and the Industrial and Commercial Development Bank of Kenya.
Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya praised the Hustler Fund’s contribution to Kenya’s socio-economic growth.
“The Financial Inclusion Fund has already provided affordable credit to more than 26 million Kenyans. As we look ahead, I encourage the Hustler Fund team to enhance their efforts in promoting timely repayments to improve credit scores and to expand financial literacy programmes that support Kenyans in succeeding.”
MSME Development Principal Secretary Susan Mangeni also emphasized the Fund’s role in boosting credit access.
“Through the Hustler Fund, over 9 million Kenyans now have improved credit histories and are more capable of accessing financing from mainstream financial institutions. We extend our gratitude to Ms. Elizabeth Nkukuu for her steady leadership in establishing the Fund and guiding it through its early stages.”
