President William Ruto has unveiled the Nyota Programme, a bold youth empowerment initiative that promises to open up new economic opportunities for thousands of young Kenyans across the country.
Speaking at the Mumias Sports Complex on Friday, the President described the programme as a “transformational journey” aimed at ensuring that no young person is left behind in Kenya’s economic growth story.
“We have designed a programme that will bring inclusivity and equity so that every part of Kenya participates and benefits,” President Ruto said, adding that the project was developed together with the World Bank and other partners to reach young entrepreneurs from all walks of life.
Ruto emphasized that Nyota is not a political project but a national effort to empower the country’s youth through practical, transparent, and sustainable support.
“This is not a political meeting,” he said. “This is about the empowerment of the young people of our nation. It’s about entrepreneurs, their businesses, and the transformation of Kenya.”
Under the programme, 110,000 young people identified across the country will receive their first tranche of financial support within the next ten days, funds meant to help them grow and expand their small enterprises.
“The money you are given is for you to use in your business ,to grow it, to expand it, and to get more customers,” the President said. “We will be very proud of you when you succeed.”
The president also announced that the government will train 600,000 youths, including persons with disabilities and single mothers, on how to access government procurement opportunities at both national and county levels.
World Bank Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda Qimiao Fan praised the Nyota Programme as a major step toward tackling youth unemployment and building an inclusive economy.
“This is not just a project but an ambitious programme that can bring transformational changes to the country’s development,” Fan said.
He noted that over 800,000 young Kenyans join the job market every year, many struggling to find meaningful work.
“The Nyota Programme is one of the solutions to address the complex challenges of youth employment,” he said, highlighting its focus on agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, housing, and digital innovation as key to job creation.
Fan emphasized that Kenya’s youth are its greatest strength, a vibrant, creative force that can shape the nation’s future if properly supported.
“Creating jobs for the youth is everybody’s business,” he said. “Together, through Nyota and with the support of all stakeholders, we can unlock Kenya’s economic potential and build a prosperous and inclusive future.”
The NYOTA project is a five-year Kenyan government initiative, funded by the World bank that aims to address youth unemployment by providing entrepreneurship training, financial support, and job placement.
The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project targets vulnerable youth aged 18-29 (or up to 35 for those with disabilities) who have a Form 4 education or below.
Its goal is to boost employment, enhance income generation, and foster a culture of saving among young people across all 47 counties.
