Kenyan youth with an interest in business are set to begin receiving Ksh50,000 each this month under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting in Kisii County on Thursday afternoon, Kindiki revealed that the government had already released Ksh28 billion for disbursement. The funds will benefit 70 young entrepreneurs in each ward across the country who are seeking to start or expand small-scale businesses.
“We have a major programme for the youth, both male and female. It is called NYOTA. We are giving funds to support 70 businesses in every ward across the country,” said the Deputy President.
“Starting this month, each of those selected will receive Ksh50,000 to invest in their businesses,” he added, stressing that only registered youth-owned businesses would qualify.
The NYOTA initiative is a five-year programme funded by the World Bank and implemented by the government through the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA). It is designed to tackle youth unemployment, income insecurity, and limited savings, targeting more than 110,000 youth aged between 18 and 29 years.
Kindiki encouraged young people to take full advantage of the programme, describing it as a rare opportunity to secure sustainable livelihoods.
In addition, he noted that the government had also devised strategies to support other vulnerable groups, including the elderly and small-scale traders such as mama mboga.
“For those who are not youth, we have other interventions to support their businesses. The government is committed to uplifting all Kenyans,” he said.
The announcement comes just a week after the government closed the application window for the programme on May 15, setting the stage for shortlisting and disbursement of funds.
