JUST IN: Ruto launches second phase of NYOTA Programme, disburses KSh3bn to young entrepreneurs

Africa, Entrepreneurship & SMEs, Politics

NAIROBI, Kenya (NPA) — Kenyan President William Ruto has launched the second phase of the business support component of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, approving the disbursement of more than KSh3 billion to over 122,000 young entrepreneurs across the country.

Under the initiative, each beneficiary will receive a KSh25,000 business grant to support the establishment or expansion of small enterprises.

The nationwide rollout was launched from Nairobi and linked live to multiple locations across Kenya.

In Marsabit County, 1,680 young people benefited from the programme during an event held at Marsabit Stadium. The beneficiaries included participants receiving a second tranche of support as well as first-time entrants into the scheme.

The grants were presented by the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration, Dr Raymond Omollo, alongside the Principal Secretary for Petroleum, Kello Harsama, and Marsabit Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo.

Officials said the exercise recorded strong participation by young women, reflecting growing interest in entrepreneurship and small business development.

The NYOTA project is a five-year youth empowerment programme implemented by the Kenyan Government with support from the World Bank.

The initiative aims to empower more than 820,000 unemployed young people through entrepreneurship financing, employability training, digital skills development and financial inclusion programmes.

The project targets young people aged 18 to 29 years, and up to 35 years for persons with disabilities, particularly those with secondary education or below.

According to the programme framework, NYOTA seeks to improve employment opportunities by supporting young entrepreneurs with start-up capital, mentorship and access to financial services while also promoting apprenticeships, skills acquisition and digital literacy.

The programme also encourages financial resilience through youth savings initiatives and institutional reforms designed to strengthen the delivery of youth development programmes.

The Kenyan Government said the initiative forms part of its broader strategy to reduce youth unemployment, expand economic opportunities and position young people as drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth.