The Government has disbursed Sh258.4 million under the Nyota Project Business Start-Up Capital programme to empower youth entrepreneurs in Nairobi, Kiambu and Kajiado counties, in a renewed push to strengthen grassroots enterprise development and create jobs.
President William Ruto on Monday presided over the launch of the disbursement at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, where 10,337 young entrepreneurs were unveiled as beneficiaries of the first phase of the programme.
Under the initial rollout, each beneficiary will receive Sh25,000 to support the establishment or expansion of their businesses. Of this amount, Sh22,000 will be credited directly to each beneficiary’s Pochi la Biashara account to finance business operations, while Sh3,000 will be deposited into a Haba na Haba savings account administered by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
A second phase of the Nyota Start-Up Capital programme will see beneficiaries receive an additional Sh25,000, bringing the total financial support per youth entrepreneur to Sh50,000.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Ruto reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive economic empowerment, saying the Nyota Project was designed to ensure that young people have equal access to opportunities regardless of their political, religious or social backgrounds.
“The Nyota Project is a holistic intervention that integrates business start-up capital with business skills training, mentorship and structured support from county governments to enhance the sustainability and growth of youth-led enterprises,” Ruto said.
He urged beneficiaries to make prudent use of the funds and take advantage of complementary government initiatives aimed at expanding employment and enterprise opportunities.
Among the programmes highlighted were the Labour Export Programme coordinated by the National Employment Authority, the Affordable Housing Programme and the fast-growing digital economy ecosystem.
The President said the Government was keen on creating multiple pathways for young people to earn a living, noting that entrepreneurship, skills development and access to markets remain key pillars of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki described the Nyota Project as a practical demonstration of a whole-of-government approach to addressing youth unemployment.
“This initiative places young people at the centre of Kenya’s economic transformation by creating diverse pathways for employment, enterprise development and innovation,” Prof. Kindiki said.
He added that the Government was aligning national and county interventions to ensure that youth empowerment programmes translate into tangible economic outcomes at the community level.
The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, said the selection of Nyota beneficiaries was ward-based, in line with the Government’s commitment to inclusivity and grassroots impact under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Oparanya noted that the ward-level pipeline ensures that young people from both urban and rural areas, including informal settlements, are able to access start-up capital and structured enterprise support.
“By anchoring this programme at the ward level, we are ensuring that no region and no deserving youth is left behind,” he said.
Youth Affairs, Sports and the Creative Economy Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya affirmed his Ministry’s readiness to fully implement all components of the Nyota Project, including training, mentorship and monitoring.
“Our commitment is to guarantee that every deserving Kenyan youth is given a fair and equal opportunity to benefit from this programme,” Mvurya said.
He added that the Ministry would work closely with county governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the funds are complemented by capacity building and continuous business support.
County government officials present at the event pledged to support Nyota beneficiaries through policy and administrative incentives aimed at easing the cost of doing business.
Governors Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Kajiado’s Joseph Ole Lenku and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru committed to partnering with the national government to nurture youth enterprises.
The governors said county administrations would provide support measures, including waivers of business license fees, access to county markets and targeted capacity-building programmes to help youth-owned businesses grow and become sustainable.
The Nyota Project combines direct financial support with non-financial interventions such as entrepreneurship training, mentorship and linkages to markets and government services.
The inclusion of a mandatory savings component through NSSF is intended to promote a culture of saving and financial discipline among young entrepreneurs.
As the first phase rolls out in Nairobi, Kiambu and Kajiado counties, the Government said additional disbursements will follow, expanding the programme’s reach to more regions across the country.
The initiative is expected to play a key role in strengthening micro and small enterprises, stimulating local economies and reducing youth unemployment.
By Naif Rashid
