By Peter Ochieng
President William Ruto now says the hustler fund will be repackaged to benefit Muslims.
He said the move to make the fund Shariah compliant, will deepen financial inclusion in Kenya.
The president said so far, more than seven million Kenyans are benefiting from the hustler fund, which was introduced soon after he assumed office in September, 2024.
“We will also adjust other government financial instruments to comply with the Islamic Law,” he explained, adding that the move will make available more funds to drive the country’s development.
President Ruto spoke on Monday evening at State House, when he hosted the Iftar Dinner.
“We are on track to making Kenya a better country for all. It is our responsibility to make it greater,” he added.
Iftar means the meal taken by Muslims to break their fast, after sunset every day during the Holy month of Ramadan.
The Iftar at State House came a day before Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki gazetted Wednesday, April 10, 2024 as a public holiday to mark Idd-ul-Fitr.
Idd-ul-Fitr is marked to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
“It is notified for the general information of the public that, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2(1) of the Public Holidays Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National administration declares that Wednesday, the 10th April 2024 shall be a public holiday to mark idd-ul-Fitr,” reads the notice.
Traditionally, Idd is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in countries where Muslims are the majority.
In Kenya, it is only celebrated for a day.
