President William Ruto on Sunday launched the disbursement of the NYOTA Fund to youth from Kisumu, Siaya and Homa Bay counties, marking what leaders described as a major step in tackling unemployment among young people.
The event, held at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Mamboleo, brought together national and county leaders, youth groups and beneficiaries of the fund, which targets young entrepreneurs with capital, training and mentorship.
Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Odinga said the programme stood out because it went beyond cash handouts to focus on long-term empowerment. She praised the President for what she termed a “holistic approach” to youth development.
“Our youth are the heartbeat and the future of this country. For a long time, as leaders, we have grappled with finding the most effective mechanisms to truly empower our young people,” Ms Odinga said. “Today, I must laud the President for this noble initiative.”
She said the NYOTA Fund combines seed capital, financial literacy training and mentorship, a model she described as critical in ensuring the sustainability of youth-led businesses.
“There is the seed capital to kick-start dreams, financial literacy to equip our youth with knowledge before they receive the money, and mentorship to guide them through the challenges of business,” she said. “This is the perfect combo. It is the blueprint for transforming our youth from job seekers into the employers of the future.”
President Ruto said the government was committed to supporting young people to become self-reliant, noting that access to capital and skills remained a major barrier for many aspiring entrepreneurs.
The NYOTA Fund is part of the government’s broader strategy to address youth unemployment by supporting enterprise development and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship across the country.
Ms Odinga said youth unemployment should not be politicised, arguing that development initiatives must unite leaders across political divides.
“Unemployment knows no political party. When we bring development to our people, we move as one,” she said. “We are fully behind this initiative, and we will continue supporting progressive programmes that put money and skills into the hands of those who need them most.”
Youth leaders at the event welcomed the programme, saying access to capital and mentorship would help them turn business ideas into viable enterprises.
