President William Ruto on Monday presided over the disbursement of KSh258.4 million under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) business support programme at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The funds will benefit 10,337 young entrepreneurs drawn from Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kajiado counties. Each beneficiary will receive KSh25,000 in start-up or expansion capital aimed at helping them establish or grow their small businesses.
Under the programme’s structure, KSh22,000 will be credited directly to each beneficiary’s Pochi la Biashara account to support immediate business needs, while the remaining KSh3,000 will be deposited into a Haba na Haba Savings Account managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), promoting a culture of saving among young people.
President Ruto said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to empowering youth economically, particularly through digital and non-traditional job opportunities. He urged young Kenyans to take full advantage of platforms that allow them to work, earn, and grow without political connections or patronage.
“Young people of Kenya, you have an opportunity to work in our digital ecosystem without having to know anybody. You can assign yourself work and earn through the internet,” the President said.
He emphasized that the NYOTA programme goes beyond financial support, noting that beneficiaries will also receive training, mentorship, and continuous guidance to ensure long-term sustainability of their ventures.
“It is not just about giving money. We will train you, mentor you, and walk with you,” Ruto added, pointing to opportunities in housing, ICT, labour, and other government-supported sectors.
The NYOTA programme is a flagship youth empowerment initiative valued at KSh5 billion and is being implemented as a five-year partnership between the Government of Kenya and the World Bank. The programme targets vulnerable and underserved youth, aiming to reduce unemployment while strengthening entrepreneurship and financial inclusion across the country.
