Gov't disburses over Ksh.258M NYOTA funds to 10,000 youths in Nairobi

The funds are set to benefit 10,337 young entrepreneurs from Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kajiado counties, each getting an initial business start-up capital of Ksh.25,000 to establish or expand their businesses.

Of this money, Ksh.22,000 will be credited directly to each beneficiary’s Pochi la Biashara accounts, while the remaining Ksh.3,000 will be deposited into their Haba na Haba Savings Account managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

President Ruto maintained that the government is focused on empowering the Kenyan youth through upscaling enrolment digital jobs.

He asked the youth to take advantage of the government’s commitment to uplifting their lives through initiatives that have direct impact on their lives.

"Young people of Kenya, you have an opportunity to work on our digital work ecosystem without having to know anybody. You can assign yourself and work through the internet," he said.

"It is not just this space we are creating with NYOTA. We have opportunities on other platforms, housing, ICT, labour. We are not just giving you money, we are also going to train you, mentor you and walk with you."

The programme, a five-year partnership between the government and the World Bank, is a flagship youth empowerment initiative valued at Ksh.5 billion.

Beneficiaries are expected to utilise the business grants strictly in line with approved business plans developed during training, with continuous technical support provided.

In the second phase of the NYOTA project, the beneficiaries will receive another Ksh.25,000, bringing the total for each of the young entrepreneurs to Ksh.50,000.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki lauded the President for the NYOTA program, noting that is focused on empowering the youth venturing into entrepreneurship.

He added that the initiative is impacting the lives of many youths, vowing his support for the Head of State's ambitious plans.

"NYOTA is promoting inclusivity in helping our youth because it doesn’t consider only those who have skills or have gone to school," Kindiki said.

"Today, 70 young people from every ward in Kiambu, Nairobi and Kajiado will leave here with financial support from the NYOTA program. This is not the only youth-empowerment program we are having under the President’s leadership."

The disbursement schedule for the third phase—covering 16 counties including Kilifi, Lamu, Tana River, Mombasa, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Nyamira, Kisii, Marsabit, Garissa, Mandera and Wajir—will be announced in due course.