President William Ruto has disbursed Sh245.6 million under the NYOTA Project to support nearly 10,000 young entrepreneurs in Nakuru, Baringo, Narok, Bomet and Kericho counties.
The programme combines business start-up capital, savings, skills certification, and training on government procurement, forming a key part of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Speaking on Friday during the distribution event at the ASK Grounds in Nakuru County, President Ruto revealed that the government is actively engaging development partners in consideration of a second phase of the Business Component under the NYOTA Project.
The first phase of the disbursement will benefit 9,847 successful applicants, each receiving an initial Sh25,000.
Of this amount, Sh22,000 is deposited directly into Pochi La Biashara accounts to support immediate business operations, while Sh3,000 goes into beneficiaries’ Haba Na Haba savings accounts under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
This split is intended to promote a culture of savings and ensure long-term financial security.
He encouraged youth with technical skills to utilise the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component, which enables skilled but uncertified individuals to obtain formal certification.
This certification opens doors to formal employment opportunities both locally and internationally through the Government’s Labour Export Programme.
The programme’s benefits extend beyond start-up capital. The On-the-Job Experience Component will see 90,000 youth placed under skilled master trainers for six months before receiving certification.
Additionally, 600,000 youth and women will be trained on accessing government procurement opportunities, enabling them to participate meaningfully in public supply chains.
Nakuru County Governor Susan Kihika urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds prudently for their intended purpose of starting and growing sustainable businesses.
She also pledged county-level support for NYOTA participants, including licence waivers through the Department of Trade, access to Ziwani Market stalls, and free vocational training at county centres to further enhance skills development.
Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, advised beneficiaries in the built environment sector to explore opportunities within the Affordable Housing Program.
These include supplying construction materials and furnishing components, linking young entrepreneurs to government-led projects.
Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, commended the youth who successfully applied for and completed the required training under the programme.
He emphasised that the NYOTA Programme is a fulfillment of the President’s ‘Pesa Mfukoni’ commitment under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, highlighted complementary government initiatives such as the Hustler Fund, Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund, and Kenya Industrial Estates, which continues to support cottage industries and MSME growth nationwide.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for MSMEs Development, Susan Mangeni, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the MSME sector as a key contributor to Kenya’s social and economic development agenda.
The NYOTA Project’s comprehensive approach, combining cash transfers, skills training, certification, and market access, aims to empower thousands of Kenyan youth and women, creating pathways for sustainable entrepreneurship and meaningful participation in the country’s economy.
