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On Thursday, 5,040 young entrepreneurs from Lamu, Kilifi, and Tana River counties received a total of Sh126 million under the Business Start-Up Capital component of the NYOTA programme during a ceremony in Malindi.
President William Ruto has previously presided over events where youth from 44 counties received the initial Sh25,000 of the total Sh50,000 business support. Of the amount, Sh22,000 is given directly to beneficiaries, while Sh3,000 is deposited into their savings accounts under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
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On Friday, the President is scheduled to oversee fund disbursement to youth in the remaining Coast counties: Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita-Taveta.
At the event, President Ruto also launched the second component of the NYOTA programme, On-the-Job Experience, which targets 90,000 young people. Participants will work under master craftsmen for six months, receiving a monthly stipend of Sh6,000, with training, assessment, and certification costs fully covered by the government.
So far, 532,000 youth have applied for the programme, and the President encouraged more young people to register by dialing *254# and selecting the On-the-Job Experience option under NYOTA.
He was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Governors Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi), Issa Timamy (Lamu), and Dhadho Godhana (Tana River), as well as Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives and MSMEs), Salim Mvurya (Sports and Youth Affairs), Alfred Mutua (Labour), and Ali Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy).
President Ruto emphasized that the NYOTA Programme aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, aiming to provide every young person, regardless of background, with opportunities to start a business or acquire skills training.
Job Creation and County Development
In Kilifi, the President highlighted that Sh21 billion has been invested in building over 8,000 affordable housing units, 12 modern markets, and hostels for 4,300 college and university students. The 1,080-unit Mtwapa Affordable Housing Project alone has generated more than 1,000 jobs, while the overall housing and market projects have created over 5,000 jobs in the county. Nationally, the Affordable Housing Programme has created more than 500,000 jobs.
Sh2.2 billion has also been allocated to expand electricity access in Kilifi, and nine fish landing sites have been established across the Coast to support the blue economy. Ali Hassan Joho noted that the government has provided over 100 boats to youth and disbursed Sh983 million to 278 youth groups in Kilifi County.
President Ruto reiterated the directive prohibiting school headteachers from sending children home due to unpaid fees or uniforms, pointing out that Sh44 billion was released in January for school capitation.
Deputy President Kindiki said the NYOTA Programme targets youth who miss out on opportunities due to lack of advanced formal education. He also highlighted other government initiatives, including export of labour, digital jobs, and labour-intensive programmes like housing.
World Bank Country Director Qimiao Fan praised the NYOTA Programme for its inclusivity and transparency, stressing that its success will be measured by the number of employable youth and sustainable businesses it creates.
County officials noted that beneficiaries are exempt from paying levies, with Speaker Kingi adding that the programme helps fill funding gaps for enterprising youth. Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua advised youth seeking jobs abroad to verify opportunities via the National Employment Authority and avoid offers made under tourist or visitor visas.
