President William Ruto on Thursday, January 22, presided over the launch of the Sh168 million National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Business Start-Up Capital disbursement for young entrepreneurs from Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties at Kinoru Stadium in Meru town.
Speaking during the event, President Ruto noted that the NYOTA project is a classic example of how Government can be run efficiently through transparency, integrity and accountability.
Through this transformative and corruption-free programme, he added, we are creating employment, fostering entrepreneurship, and instilling a saving culture in our young people.
“We will progressively reach out to every young person in every part of our country in order to make their lives better through this programme,” President Ruto said.
Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki said the programme specifically targets youth who did not access higher education, describing it as a government grant, not a loan.
“This is not a political campaign. It is a programme to empower households and uplift the youth,” said Professor Kindiki.
He noted at least 90,000 young people would benefit through skills training, certification and direct support, insisting that allocation would be non-discriminatory.
He accused the opposition of undermining the initiative, noting that similar programmes were absent when they were in power.
The funds will benefit 6,720 young entrepreneurs from the three counties, with each beneficiary receiving Sh25,000 in the first phase, Sh22,000 of which will be credited directly to the beneficiary’s Pochi la Biashara account to boost or start a business.
The remaining Sh3,000 will be channelled into the Haba na Haba Savings Account managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
Under the second phase of the NYOTA Start-Up Capital Disbursement, beneficiaries will receive an additional Sh25,000, bringing the total start-up capital for each beneficiary to Sh50,000.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Wycliffe Oparanya urged the beneficiaries to use skills acquired during their training sessions to ensure success of their businesses.
He said the NYOTA programme demonstrates the Government’s commitment to youth empowerment under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“Through the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development, we are not only providing start-up capital but also building an ecosystem of training, mentorship, savings, and market access to support sustainable enterprises,” said Mr Oparanya.
He advised the beneficiaries that entrepreneurship requires discipline, patience, and consistency, noting that NYOTA is the beginning of a long-term partnership, complemented by initiatives such as the Hustler Fund, to help their businesses grow, create jobs, and transform communities.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for MSME Development, Susan Mang’eni, sparked laughter after issuing tough warnings to youth beneficiaries on how they should not use funds disbursed under the Nyota programme.
She cautioned the beneficiaries against gambling, saying the money deposited into Pochi la Biashara was deliberately restricted and would not work on betting platforms.
Her remarks, which she delivered in a humorous but firm tone, drew loud laughter from the crowd as she warned against the temptation of quick money through betting.
She explained that the government has put in place mechanisms to ensure the money disbursed under the Nyota programme cannot be deposited on betting sites.
“We have made intentional restrictions aimed at protecting the youth from losing the funds through gambling, while ensuring the money is used strictly for business purposes,” said PS Mang’eni, noting that the strategy is aimed at making sure the funds serve the purpose for which they are intended.
The President was accompanied by politicians from the three Counties including Governor Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), and Isaac Mutuma (Meru).
By Dickson Mwiti
