Thousands of young entrepreneurs from the Coast region received a major boost on Friday after the government disbursed business grants worth Sh139.5 million under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement programme, reinforcing its drive to expand youth employment and enterprise.
A total of 5,880 young people from Mombasa, Kwale and Taita-Taveta counties benefited from the grants, which were issued during a ceremony held at the Jomo Kenyatta Showground in Mombasa. The event was attended by President William Ruto, who said the programme is designed to give young people practical pathways into work, business and skills development.
Speaking during the disbursement, the President said the NYOTA Fund will open doors for young people to take up digital jobs, work in ICT hubs, Jitume Centres and business process outsourcing firms. He said the government aims to raise the number of young people earning a living through digital work to one million by the end of this year or early next year.
The President also noted that overseas employment remains a key option for Kenyan youth, saying more than half a million young people have secured jobs outside the country in the last three years.
“If you get a foreign job offer letter but don’t have money to pay for the plane ticket, the Government of Kenya through Uwezo Fund and Youth Fund, will pay your ticket to go work in places like Dubai, France, or the United Kingdom,” he said.
President William Ruto with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir at the ASK Show, Mombasa during the NYOTA capital disbursement for Mombasa, Taita Taveta and Kwale Counties on February 6, 2026.PHOTO/PCSBefore receiving the funds, all beneficiaries completed a mandatory four-day business training programme. The training focused on basic business skills needed to start, manage and grow small enterprises.
The NYOTA programme is a central part of the government’s youth empowerment agenda, aimed at expanding access to capital, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating lasting sources of income for young people. The fund targets youth unemployment by combining financing with skills development.
Since its rollout, NYOTA has supported thousands of young people in several counties, including those in the Coast region. In Mombasa, Kwale and Taita-Taveta alone, more than 5,800 beneficiaries have received grants amounting to Sh139.5 million.
Residents of Mombasa, Taita Taveta and Kwale Counties converge at the ASK Show, Mombasa during the NYOTA capital disbursement for Coastal Counties on February 6, 2026PHOTO/PCS
In addition to business grants, the programme includes an On-the-Job Experience component that focuses on hands-on skills training. This part of the programme places young people with experienced craftsmen in trades such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.
With the Mombasa event, young entrepreneurs from 44 counties have now received NYOTA business grants. The remaining counties under the first phase of the rollout are Mandera, Wajir and Garissa, which are scheduled to receive their disbursements next week.
The On-the-Job Experience programme has already been advertised and targets 90,000 beneficiaries. Selected participants will be attached to master craftsmen in areas such as masonry, plumbing, carpentry and electrification.
Each participant will receive a monthly stipend of Sh6,000 for six months as they gain practical work experience. Interested youth have been advised to register by dialing *254#, selecting NYOTA and choosing the On-the-Job Experience option.
Government officials say the steady rollout of the programme reflects a wider plan to reduce unemployment and support economic growth by investing in young people. By combining business funding with real skills, NYOTA is expected to reshape opportunities for youth across the country.
