Nationwide interviews for 100,000 NYOTA grant beneficiaries to begin on Monday

The Ksh. 5 billion joint government and World Bank business support programme, called National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project, aims to empower 70 young people from each of the country’s 1,450 wards to start and grow their enterprises.

“Tomorrow in every sub-county in Kenya, we will begin identifying 100,000 young people because we want to use their energy, talent and expertise to transform our nation,” the President said.

He made the remarks at the inauguration of the Nairobi Archdiocese of the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Kenya at the Kasarani Gymnasium in Nairobi on Sunday.

Earlier, President had attended the 70th anniversary of the Africa Inland Church Ziwani in Nairobi County. He was accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Hanna Cheptumo, MPs and MCAs.

The President announced that the government and the Nairobi County have agreed to contract the private sector to collect garbage and keep the city clean.

“Nairobi cannot continue to be the city of filth,” he said.

The two levels of government, he explained, will also cooperate in road development in city estates and lighting up the city.

“The National Government is going to work with the County Government to ensure that Nairobi is mobile and motorable, clean and well-lit. We are finalising the plan,” he said.

The anniversary celebrations were held at Starehe Boys School, and the President pledged that the government would provide KSh60 million to replace asbestos roofing and expand the school’s infrastructure.

Additionally, the President said the government will also send 20 more teachers to the school in January 2026.

At the same time, President Ruto said he has engaged leaders across the political divide in a bid to unite the country and rally support in transforming Kenya from Third World status to the first world.

He pointed out that he has held talks with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and KANU Chairman Gideon Moi on working together to take the country to the next level.

Additionally, President Ruto said he has held one-on-one discussions with over 80 per cent of Members of Parliament, explaining how they should contribute to the common agenda.

"I will continue to engage all leaders so that we can make Kenya a First World. It is possible,” he said.

The President explained that Kenya has what it takes to move from a Third World country to First World status by 2055.

He pointed out that Kenya has ideas, knowledge, plans, people and resources to achieve this, and called on Kenyans to ignore doubting Thomases, unite and work together towards this goal.

Saying Kenya has made tremendous progress in the past three years, the President cited stabilisation of the economy, increased agricultural productivity, implementation of universal healthcare and affordable housing among other programmes.

“In just three years, it has been possible to start construction of 170,000 housing units. In Nairobi alone, 93,000 housing units, 12 markets and 20,000- bed student hostels are being built,” he pointed out.

The President went on: "For far too long, we have been stuck at the level of poverty. It's now time to take the country to the next level."

President Ruto stated that Nairobi County has been allocated KSh210 billion for affordable housing, fresh produce markets and student hostels.

“This is not money we have borrowed; it is money Kenyans have raised,” he said.

Governor Sakaja commended the partnership between the National Government and Nairobi County in addressing key issues affecting residents, particularly the water challenge.

He said the county has now received an additional 140 million litres of water to benefit residents.