President William Ruto on Thursday unveiled the disbursement of Ksh.168 million start-up capital to 6,720 young entrepreneurs from Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi counties, marking a major step in the government’s drive to grow youth-led businesses.
The funds were released under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme during a ceremony at Kinoru Stadium in Meru Town.
How the Programme Works
Each beneficiary will receive Ksh.50,000, disbursed in two phases of Ksh.25,000 each.
- Ksh.22,000 is deposited into the beneficiary’s Pochi la Biashara account to support business start-up or expansion.
- Ksh.3,000 is placed in a Haba na Haba savings account under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
President Ruto emphasized that the programme will benefit 121,800 youths nationwide, with the first phase of the rollout expected to be completed by February 3, 2026.
“Kenya has a practical and demonstrable plan to grow our nation into a first-world economy,” the President said, noting that NYOTA complements other government interventions such as the Affordable Housing Programme, digital economy initiatives, and the Kazi Majuu labour mobility scheme.
Focus on Household-Level Empowerment
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki highlighted that the government is now shifting its focus to household-level economic empowerment after stabilising the macroeconomic environment over the past three years.
He underscored that NYOTA is designed as a multi-pronged intervention to expand opportunities for young people across the country:
“In today’s economy, starting a business requires significant capital. That is why these are grants, not loans. These 50,000 Kenya shillings is startup capital provided free and is not to be repaid.”
Prof. Kindiki added that about 90,000 young people will be assisted to develop skills, receive recognition for their learning, obtain certificates, and gain access to essential tools, while others will benefit from government procurement opportunities.
Support from Key Ministries
- CS Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs Development): Beneficiaries will also access financing and support frameworks such as the Hustler Fund, Uwezo Fund, Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE), and the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA).
- CS Salim Mvurya (Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports): The programme reflects the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by deliberately targeting young people who would otherwise be excluded from economic opportunities.
- PS Susan Mang’eni (State Department for MSMEs): Capital disbursement will be followed by structured mentorship and capacity-building to ensure businesses are viable and sustainable.
“We have loaded the Pochi la Biashara with business digital tools so that you can do daily stock taking, track records, and monitor profits and losses. We will also conduct mentorship to make sure your business succeeds,” she said.
Boost to the Micro-Economy
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah described NYOTA as a boost to the micro-economy, noting that the sector accounts for more than 70% of jobs for youth and women and remains central to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Conclusion
The launch of NYOTA represents a bold step in Kenya’s youth empowerment journey, combining financial support, mentorship, and access to broader government programmes. By targeting young entrepreneurs at the grassroots, the initiative is expected to strengthen the micro-economy and accelerate Kenya’s path toward inclusive growth.
