PHOTOS: Ruto drives youth entrepreneurship with coastal fund disbursement

President William Ruto, joined by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, today led the distribution of start-up capital to thousands of young entrepreneurs at the Jomo Kenyatta Showground under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.

In the first phase of the initiative, a total of 5,880 youth from Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita-Taveta counties shared Sh139.5 million. The beneficiaries represented 70 wards — 30 from Mombasa, 20 from Kwale, and 20 from Taita-Taveta — with each receiving Sh25,000 to kickstart their businesses.

Of the Sh25,000, Sh22,000 was transferred directly to the recipients’ mobile money accounts, while the remaining Sh3,000 was deposited into Haba na Haba Savings Accounts managed by the National Social Security Fund.

The programme’s second phase will see beneficiaries receive an additional Sh25,000, raising the total start-up capital per young entrepreneur to Sh50,000.

Before receiving the funds, participants completed a four-day business skills training aimed at equipping them with practical knowledge to launch and expand their enterprises.

“The NYOTA programme is a key pillar of the government’s youth empowerment agenda,” President Ruto said. “It aims to expand access to funds, strengthen entrepreneurship, and create sustainable livelihoods for young people across the country.”

With the latest disbursement, youth from 44 counties have already benefited from the programme. Next week, the remaining three north-eastern counties — Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa — are set to receive start-up funds, marking the completion of NYOTA’s first component.

The programme’s second component, On-the-Job Experience, has also been rolled out. Through this initiative, 90,000 young people will be attached to master craftsmen in carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrification for a period of six months. Each participant will earn a monthly stipend of Sh6,000 during the attachment period.

Young Kenyans wishing to take part in the On-the-Job Experience can register by dialing *254#, selecting NYOTA, and choosing the On-the-Job Experience option.