By Ongaga Ongaga
Over 8,000 young entrepreneurs from Kisii, Nyamira and Migori counties have received Ksh.220.5 million in start-up capital under the NYOTA Project.
This follows a funding and training exercise held at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County recently.
The beneficiaries qualified for the funding after completing a mandatory four-day business skills training programme that focused on financial management, entrepreneurship and business growth.
The training was designed to ensure participants are equipped to start, strengthen and sustain their enterprises.
Under the first phase of the NYOTA Start-Up Capital disbursement, each beneficiary received Ksh.25,000.
Of this amount, Ksh.22,000 was credited directly to the beneficiary’s Pochi la Biashara account to support immediate business start-up or expansion, while Ksh.3,000 was deposited into a Haba na Haba savings account managed by the National Social Security Fund.
In the second phase of the programme, beneficiaries will receive an additional Ksh.25,000, bringing the total start-up capital per entrepreneur to Ksh.50,000.
Speaking during the event, President William Ruto said Kenya has long struggled with youth unemployment and limited economic empowerment, noting that targeted programmes are necessary to address the challenge.
“Initiatives like NYOTA are meant to ensure young people have access to capital, skills and opportunities to participate meaningfully in the economy,” he said.
The President added that the NYOTA Project is expected to benefit more than 820,000 young people across the country and reiterated that the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda is focused on inclusive development.
“This agenda is not a slogan. It is a commitment to ensure that every Kenyan, regardless of region, political affiliation or educational background, is included,” he said.
He also announced the opening of the *254# platform for registration under the On-the-Job Experience Training component of the NYOTA Project.
The initiative will support 90,000 youth through mentorship by master trainers, equipping them with market-relevant skills to help them start businesses or secure meaningful employment.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki highlighted other government initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, including the Affordable Housing Programme, the Digital Jobs Ecosystem and the Labour Export Programme, which is being implemented through bilateral labour agreements with more than 13 countries.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati described the NYOTA Project as a strategic economic stimulus that will enable young entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses.
He urged beneficiaries to use the funds prudently and announced that NYOTA-supported entrepreneurs in Kisii would enjoy county licence holidays to ease their entry into business.
Similarly, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo announced a five-year waiver on trade licences for NYOTA entrepreneurs in the county.
Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said the high number of applicants to the programme demonstrated Kenya’s strong enterprise culture, noting that more than two million youth have applied for support under the NYOTA Business Support Component. Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering young people as key drivers of national development.
Principal Secretary for MSMEs Development Susan Mangeni assured beneficiaries that the programme would be complemented by structured mentorship initiatives linking them to local business ecosystems. She said entrepreneurs would continue to receive support through institutions such as Kenya Industrial Estates, the Uwezo Fund and the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority.
Other leaders present at the event included Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, National Assembly Majority Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, and elected leaders from Kisii, Nyamira and Migori counties.
