President William Ruto has officially launched the NYOTA Youth Business Support Programme in Mumias, Kakamega County, a national initiative designed to help young Kenyans start and grow small businesses.
Under the programme, beneficiaries will initially receive KSh 25,000 as part of a KSh 50,000 grant, which will be disbursed directly to youth groups and individual entrepreneurs to support income-generating projects.
Speaking during the launch on Friday, President Ruto said the NYOTA initiative reflects his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and economic inclusion, emphasizing that the goal is to give young people the tools to create jobs rather than depend on aid.
“Kenyan youth are not seeking handouts — they are asking for opportunities,” Ruto said. “Through NYOTA, we are providing the capital and confidence they need to build businesses that will transform lives and communities.”
The Head of State noted that the programme will complement other empowerment funds such as the Hustler Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, and Youth Enterprise Development Fund, all aimed at promoting entrepreneurship at the grassroots.
He said the rollout will prioritise youth ventures in agribusiness, manufacturing, services, and the creative economy, stressing that innovation and accountability will be central to the initiative’s success.
“Every young person supported through this programme must see themselves as a builder of Kenya’s economic future,” he added.
President Ruto unveils NYOTA Youth Business Support Programme in Mumias
Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, who accompanied the President, said the programme will be rolled out in phases across all 47 counties, targeting hundreds of thousands of youth.
He explained that beneficiaries will receive the second instalment of KSh 25,000 after verification of progress, with digital monitoring systems in place to enhance transparency and curb misuse of funds.
Local leaders welcomed the initiative, saying it would help revive economic activity in regions affected by unemployment and industrial stagnation.
“This programme is giving our youth genuine hope and practical support — it’s exactly what we’ve been calling for,” said Mumias East MP Peter Salasya.
President Ruto urged young people to use the funds responsibly, reminding them that the nation’s progress depends on how effectively they turn opportunities into tangible results.
“Kenya’s future rests in the hands of disciplined, innovative, and productive youth,” he said.
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