Marsabit County has received an increased allocation under the government’s Nyota Programme following a surge in demand from youth seeking business grants.
Presiding over the launch of the Nyota Programme Tranche II at Marsabit Stadium, Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Raymond Omollo said the county’s allocation had risen from Sh37 million paid out in the first phase to Sh41 million in the second phase to accommodate more beneficiaries.
Dr Omollo said the increase was driven by the growing number of youths expressing interest in the programme after witnessing its success.
“The demand for Nyota has grown significantly. At first, many young people were unsure whether the programme was genuine, but after seeing fellow youths receive grants and establish businesses, more have come forward to apply,” he said.
The PS disclosed that the government had increased the number of beneficiaries in Marsabit, with the programme targeting between 70 and 84 youths in each of the county’s 20 wards.
The principal secretary added the Nyota Programme is designed to help young people to overcome one of the biggest barriers to entrepreneurship, that of limited access to startup capital and which the Kenya Kwanza government had resolved to address.
The programme which supports youth aged between 18 and 29 years with a window to 35 years for those living with disabilities, extends a Sh25,000 grant to every beneficiary.
The capital comprises Sh23,000 for business support and sh3, 000 directly deposited into the beneficiary’s account as savings in a move aimed at promoting a culture of saving.
Dr Omollo said the government had built entrepreneurship capacity of the beneficiaries with business skills through training and mentorship while continuous follow-up has been initiated to ensure the funds are invested in sustainable income-generating activities.
Despite the increased allocation, Omollo encouraged young people to take advantage of other government financing programmes to access additional capital for business growth.
“Nyota is only one of the government’s economic empowerment programmes. Young people who need more capital should also explore these other government funds to grow their businesses,” he said.
Dr. Omollo added that the government is exploring ways to increase funding for youth empowerment programmes to meet the growing demand and ensure more young people can access financial support and employment opportunities.
The principal secretary reaffirmed President Ruto’s administration commitment to empowering the youth through entrepreneurship, skills development and access to affordable financing as part of broader efforts to tackle unemployment and improve livelihoods across the country.
In his remarks, the Principal Secretary for Petroleum Kello Harsama, echoed the call by urging the young people to make prudent use of government business support funds in order to improve on their livelihoods.
Harsama asked the youth to apply for support through the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, Affirmative Action Fund, and the Hustler Fund saying the kitties provide affordable credit to entrepreneurs seeking to start and expand their enterprises.
He thanked the government for its continued investment in youth empowerment through enterprise financing.
The PS encouraged beneficiaries to use the funds to expand businesses they had already established using the first tranche, saying business growth would enhance their economic independence and create more employment opportunities for them.
He urged eligible Kenyans to apply for the available funds to support their businesses and improve their economic well-being.
“I call upon all the beneficiaries of this programme to invest the funds extended to them prudently so that you achieve lasting economic development,” he advised.
Warsame further highlighted the Wezesha Jobs Majuu programme, which assists Kenyans who have secured employment abroad but are unable to travel due to lack of airfare, which Kenya Kwanza is addressing through financing where beneficiaries repay in affordable installments once they start earning overseas.
He further encouraged young people who were unsuccessful in their Nyota applications not to despair but to bank on windows expected in future.
Marsabit Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo thanked the national government for investing in the youth of Marsabit through the initiative, which he described as a key driver of economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.
Gubo said the county government fully supports the programme and that the devolved unit will waive single permit business license fee for the youth-owned business for two years in response to President Ruto’s request.
The deputy governor noted the move would greatly create a conducive environment for young entrepreneurs to not only facilitate take but enable them to make savings.
The Deputy Governor added that the county government is ready to provide any additional support required to help young entrepreneurs succeed and pledged continued collaboration with the national government to strengthen youth economic empowerment.
Gubo urged beneficiaries not to take the opportunity for granted but to invest the funds wisely and in sustainable businesses that will improve their livelihoods and contribute to the county’s economic growth.
By Sebastian Miriti and Anthony Melly
