Nyota beneficiaries in three Central Kenya Counties, Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nyeri gathered at Ihura Stadium, Muranga, to receive another tranche of the funds that offers seed capital to thousands of youths to establish businesses in efforts to address unemployment in the country.
During the occasion, more than 7,000 young people from Murang’a, Nyeri and Kirinyaga counties received the second phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) business startup funding under the Programme.
On her part, Kirinyaga Governor, Anne Waiguru, announced an additional Sh10,000 county grant for every beneficiary of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme from Kirinyaga, making her among the first governors to complement the National Government’s youth empowerment initiative with county funding.
Speaking during the disbursement ceremony of the second tranche of NYOTA funds at Ihura Stadium in Murang’a County, Governor Waiguru said beneficiaries from Kirinyaga who received the final Sh25,000 installments will each receive an additional top up of Sh10,000 from the County Government, increasing their total start-up capital from Sh50,000 to Sh60,000.
In addition to the financial boost, the Governor announced that all NYOTA beneficiaries from Kirinyaga will be exempted from paying county business permit fees, easing the cost of establishing and running their enterprises.
“We have directed that all NYOTA beneficiaries from Kirinyaga will not pay for business permits. In addition, those receiving their second tranche today will each get an extra Sh.10,000 from the County Government. We shall obtain the list of beneficiaries from the National Government to facilitate the top-up,” she said.
Waiguru said the county’s intervention is aimed at reinforcing the National Government’s efforts to empower young people by providing a more conducive environment for youth-led enterprises to succeed.
She further revealed that the County Government has set aside Sh.90 million under its empowerment programme to support more youth and women to venture into various enterprises, noting that the county remains committed to expanding economic opportunities for young people.
Waiguru hailed the NYOTA programme as a transformative initiative whose impact is already being felt across the country.
“This is a brilliant programme by President William Ruto, and its fruits can already be seen. I encourage our young people to embrace humble beginnings and use this support as a springboard to prosperity. One day you will look back and realize how far you have come because you worked hard and remained focused,” she said.
The Governor reminded the youth that the Mt. Kenya region has historically earned national respect for its entrepreneurial culture, urging beneficiaries to revive that legacy through hard work and enterprise.
“Our community has always been known for its business acumen. Across Kenya, small businesses that sustained local economies were largely run by people from this region. Let us restore that glory by embracing entrepreneurship and building successful enterprises that create wealth and jobs,” she added.
The NYOTA programme targets more than 90,000 young Kenyans with seed capital, business training and mentorship. The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to reducing youth unemployment while promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth across the country.
By Mutai Kipng’etich
