Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit has urged young entrepreneurs benefiting from the NYOTA business start-up funds to use the money strictly for income-generating activities, cautioning them against diverting the capital to personal expenses such as weddings.
Speaking during the disbursement drive led by President William Ruto at Archers Post in Samburu County, the governor emphasised that the funds were intended to lay a foundation for sustainable livelihoods and should be invested prudently to achieve long-term impact.
"Najua vijana wetu mnapenda kuoa. Hii pesa si ya kuenda kuoa. Ule mrembo uko naye mwambie wacha tufanye biashara mambo ikiwa vizuri tufanye harusi,” Lelelit said.
This loosely translates to, “I know our young people want to get married. This money is not meant for getting married. Tell the beautiful woman you are with, let us first do business, and when things are going well, then we can have a wedding."
The governor said the NYOTA funds present a critical opportunity for young people to start or expand businesses and improve their economic standing.
He urged beneficiaries to exercise discipline and patience, noting that successful enterprises would ultimately provide the stability needed to support families in the future.
In a move aimed at easing the burden on young entrepreneurs, Lelelit announced a two-year waiver on county trade licence fees for youths receiving the funds.
He said the measure was designed to allow the businesses time to grow without being weighed down by regulatory costs.
“To our youth in Samburu, Samburu County revenue officers, these youths will not pay license fees for the next two years,” the governor said.
He issued a stern warning to county enforcement staff to refrain from violating the directive. “If anyone asks you for revenue, call me, and I fire them,” he added.
Lelelit also directed the county’s Trade department to engage directly with the beneficiaries across all sub-counties to assess their training needs and provide tailored support.
He said access to skills development and mentorship was just as important as financial capital in ensuring business success.
“Directive to our Trade department, we must meet these youths in every subcounty to know what kind of training they need,” he said.
The governor noted that many youth-led enterprises fail due to lack of business skills, market access, and guidance, challenges he said the county government was determined to address.
He added that the administration would work closely with beneficiaries to help them manage finances, identify viable markets, and scale their ventures.
The NYOTA programme is part of a broader government initiative to tackle youth unemployment by providing start-up capital and support to young entrepreneurs.
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