As the Government scales up the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme to tackle youth unemployment and expand entrepreneurship, young beneficiaries across the country are beginning to transform financial support into sustainable livelihoods.
In Kericho County, where 1,959 youth have benefited from the initiative, the programme has injected more than Sh48 million into youth-owned enterprises, offering thousands of young people a chance to build businesses and secure their future.
Among the beneficiaries is 23-year-old Godwin Ng’eno from Kapsing’aru Village in Soliat Ward, Soin/Sigowet Constituency, whose decision to invest in sugarcane farming is steadily turning government support into a promising enterprise.
Ng’eno, who is a devoted Seventh Day Adventist chose not to remain idle as he awaits formal employment. Instead, he ventured into agribusiness, determined to create his own source of income while aspiring to pursue his professional career of Medical Biotechnology.
The firstborn son of Festus Chepkwony and Judith Chepkwony and the eldest of three brothers, Godwin was raised by small-scale farmers who instilled in him the values of discipline, resilience and hard work.
Upon receiving the first NYOTA disbursement of Sh22,000, Ng’eno invested the funds in sugarcane farming.
“Growing up in Soin/Sigowet, where sugarcane is one of the region’s major cash crops, I wanted to invest in a business that I understood and one with a ready market so I saw it as a good opportunity to start building my future while waiting to secure employment in my profession,” Ng’eno said.
He personally oversees the project, from land preparation to crop management, and after successfully establishing the first crop, he qualified for the second NYOTA tranche of Sh22,000 whereby the funds have enabled him to prepare additional land and expand his sugarcane enterprise.
“I am grateful to President William Ruto and the Government for introducing the NYOTA Programme. It has given many young people hope and the confidence to start businesses instead of remaining dependent or waiting indefinitely for jobs,” he noted.
Although encouraged by the progress of his venture, Godwin admits that starting a business has not been without challenges. Limited capital, the rising cost of farm inputs and unpredictable weather have tested his determination, but he remains optimistic that patience and consistency will yield positive results.
“Every business has challenges, especially when you are starting. Farm inputs are expensive and farming requires patience, but I believe every challenge is an opportunity to learn and become better,” Mr. Ng’eno remarked.
Looking ahead, Ng’eno hopes to increase the acreage under sugarcane, diversify into other high-value agricultural enterprises and eventually establish a modern agribusiness capable of creating employment opportunities for other young people in his community.
He also appeals to the government to sustain youth empowerment initiatives beyond the initial capital by supporting young entrepreneurs through affordable financing, mentorship, market linkages and business training with many young people having good ideas but need guidance and continuous support to grow sustainable enterprises.
Under the second phase of the NYOTA Programme, beneficiaries receive Sh22,000 as business capital while Sh3,000 is invested in the NSSF Haba na Haba savings scheme to promote a culture of saving and long-term financial security.
President William Ruto has also announced a two-year waiver on county business permit fees for NYOTA beneficiaries and directed state-backed financial institutions to develop financing products tailored to help youth-owned businesses grow.
By Kelox Mutai and Dominic Cheres
