22k si pesa kidogo! Ruto defends Nyota grants, hits out at critics

President William Ruto when he launched the disbursement of Sh173.2 million NYOTA business start-up capital to 6,982 young entrepreneurs from Nyeri, Murang’a, Nyandarua, and Kirinyaga counties at Kabiru-ini ASK Grounds, Nyeri/PCS

President William Ruto has cautioned leaders against politicising government programmes meant to uplift the lives of ordinary Kenyans.

Without mentioning their names, the President said their initiatives should be judged by their impact rather than partisan interests.

The President took issue with critics of the government’s National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) programme, who have argued that the Sh50,000 business start-up capital offered to beneficiaries is too little to make a difference.

He said those dismissing the programme have neither offered better alternatives nor demonstrated any tangible effort to empower young people during their years in public service.

“If you think Sh50,000 is little money, it is little to you and your family because you are rich. With Sh50,000 you can begin a business,” President Ruto said.

“There is this person who has been in government for 40 years, who is saying, ‘Why is the President giving the youth Sh22,000 or Sh50,000?’ Why is he asking how that money will help the youth?” the President said.

Ruto cited Zechariah 4:10 from the Bible, urging Kenyans not to despise humble beginnings.

The President spoke on Monday during the launch of the disbursement of Sh173.2 million in Nyota business start-up capital to 6,982 young entrepreneurs drawn from Nyeri, Murang’a, Nyandarua, and Kirinyaga counties at the Kabiru ASK Grounds in Nyeri.

He was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha, Cabinet Secretaries Salim Mvurya (Sports) and Alice Wahome (Lands), and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, among other leaders.

President Ruto explained that the NYOTA programme is part of a broader government strategy to expand opportunities for young people and place them at the centre of the country’s development agenda. He said the programme targets 820,000 youth nationwide and is anchored on four key pillars: business support, recognition of prior learning, training and mentorship, and savings.

He said Nyota complements other flagship initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Programme, overseas labour opportunities and the expansion of digital jobs, which he said are already creating tangible pathways to employment and enterprise.

According to the President, the Affordable Housing Programme has so far created over 500,000 job opportunities for young people. On labour export, he said more than 500,000 youth have secured jobs abroad, increasing diaspora remittances by $1 billion (about Sh130 billion) over the past two years.

The President also highlighted ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, saying the government has already laid 30,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable, with a target of 100,000 kilometres in the coming years.

“This will enable one million young people to work in the digital economy. Already, 300,000 are earning livelihoods in the digital space today,” he said.

Ruto said the ultimate goal is to harness the energy, skills and knowledge of young people to drive Kenya’s transformation. He noted that while the government has strengthened the education system, it is equally focused on ensuring that education translates into opportunity.