Take hustler fund to avoid shylocks — Machakos commissioner

Machakos residents have been urged to take advantage of the hustler funds and avoid shylocks.

Machakos county commissioner Rhoda Onyancha said residents should borrow the fund, pay timely and borrow again to grow their businesses and improve livelihoods.

She however, said Kenyans should be disciplined in re-paying the fund within the required 14 days, to grow their credit.

“The more you borrow and pay as required, the more you grow your credit, just like bank loans. You will be able to get more amounts in form of loans,” Onyancha said.

The commissioner addressed the public during the 59th Jamhuri Day celebrations at HGM Matuu Memorial Primary School in Yatta subcounty on Monday.

Onyancha was responding to Matuu MCA Judas Ndawa’s complaints about shylocks who he claimed are terrorising not only residents of his ward, but the county at large.

Shylocks launder money at high interest rates.

Ndawa said some of those involved in the trade are humiliating those who take money from them as loans.

“These shylocks harass residents especially women most of who fall to their traps. Some women have had iron sheets removed from their houses for delaying to pay the loans. Such incidences have caused lots of problems to families,” he said.

The legislator said shylocks auction property whose value is way above loans borrowed.

“Majority of those shylocks moved from other counties to Machakos, some sexually harass women,” he said.

Ndawa urged the county security committee headed by Onyancha to intervene into the residents’ plight by ensuring their rights are protected and legal actions taken against shylocks harassing Machakos residents.

Onyancha advised the victims to report their cases to chiefs and police for intervention.

She said despite shylocks having the right to be paid back by those who borrow from them, the borrowers are protected by the law.

“I advise the public to be careful and know the people they do business with. Let them consult their leaders such as MCAs and chiefs before engaging in such businesses,” Onyancha said.

The commissioner directed National Government Administration Officers to intervene in such cases through mediation where possible.

She said both parties should get fair treatment while solving such cases.

Onyancha further told the subcounty security teams to step up war on crime and illicit brew.

“DCCs, ACCs, chiefs and their assistants are all aware of the directive to upscale the fight against illicit brew. All security teams should work together to achieve this,” she said.

Onyancha told the Machakos government to license all companies distributing alcohol in clubs, pubs and bars to rid the market of counterfeits and illicit liquor.

“Subcounty security teams and county’s enforcement departments should work together through a multi – agency approach so that the bars operate within stipulated laws and regulations," she said.

"No such joints should be operated before or beyond 5pm – 11pm and 2pm and 11pm during public holidays.”

Omyancha said they aim to ensure people go to work first before taking alcohol.

“We need an energetic society of men and women who can work,” she said.

“It will be easier if we license the distributors and types of alcohol they bring to the county. This will enable bar operators to sell alcohol from licensed distributors.”

The administrator said if that isn’t done, distributors will continue supplying counterfeits and second generation liquor to Machakos.

She said rogue distributors will get to Kariobangi and bring counterfeit alcohol.

"We will work together to ensure that alcohol being distributed in the county is licensed," Onyancha said.

"This will make us have healthy citizens and avoid unnecessary deaths from consumption of poisonous alcohol.”

The commissioner said they are committed to eradicating illicit drugs and substance menace in Machakos county.

She lauded subcounty security committees across the county headed by respective deputy county commissioners for showing commitment in fighting crime, drugs, substance abuse and illicit liquor.

Machakos police commander Issa Mohammud, deputy governor Francis Mwangangi, Senator Agnes Kavindu, Yatta MP Robert Basil and MCAs were present.