In the rugged terrains of Samburu, a determined youth received a lifeline through the NYOTA fund and transformed it into a roaring success story; starting with just four goats, he has risen to become a major supplier.
Salim Edwin, speaking in Nanyuki during the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement Fund (NYOTA) second tranche launch, amazed Tourisms Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and other national government dignitaries after revealing how his success story started at Archers Post in Isiolo county when President Dr. William Ruto launched the programme.
Edwin said that after receiving his first Nyota fund tranche, he bought four goats and registered a company, where he has been able to pool in about 300 other beneficiaries from the counties of Isiolo, Garrissa, Samburu and Marsabit to supply goats.
He noted that the youth-led initiative can deliver over 400 goats in a day when ordered, revealing that his first supply was to the president.
“After receiving the Sh22,000, my first goat supply was to President William Ruto and from there, I started Munyan Company limited and now armed with a certificate, we are ready for more supplies,” he told the gathering.
He revealed that his business has been on an upward trajectory since then, in the company of his other Nyota fund beneficiaries.
“I vowed not to leave my friends behind; we will work together and now through that initiative, if you want 400 goats, you can get them within a minute and we will be millionaires in two years’ time,” he said, adding that after receiving the second tranche, he hoped to expand his goat business venture.
For Amina Golisha from Merti in Isiolo County and a person with a disability, she started a clothing business, which has been thriving in the area, amid hopes of expanding it after she received the second tranche of Nyota funds.
“I now sell women’s clothes in Merti and the business is good ,the funds were a major boost and I want to thank the president for even considering Persons with disabilities. I will take it to the next level,” she said.
Amina and Edwin are among the 564 Nyota funds beneficiaries from the counties of Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia who received the second phase of the Nyota Fund on Friday, an event unveiled by the Head of State, with a total of 122,203 young entrepreneurs benefiting across the country.
The beneficiaries express their gratitude, narrating how their lives had transformed since the programme started.
By Muturi Mwangi
