Ruto dubs Gen Z ‘Baby Girl’ in light moment with young entrepreneur

A young woman from Nairobi has told President William Ruto that the NYOTA Start-Up Fund has allowed her to finally open her own salon after years of working under difficult conditions.

Judy Kavwele, whom the President nicknamed “Baby Girl”, was among the beneficiaries who had already received the first disbursement of Sh22,000 under the programme.

When Ruto first called her to ask her about the programme during Thursday’s NYOTA launch in Machakos, he referred to her as ‘Baby Girl’. Upon her introduction, the President asked, “So you are Judy Kavwele Baby Girl?”

This elicited laughter from the audience, before the conversation focused more on the start-up funding.

Ruto asked her how she learned about NYOTA and whether the money had reached her. “I’ve already received the Sh22,000,” she responded.

The President then asked what business she planned to start. Judy explained that she is a trained hairdresser but lacked capital to run an independent salon.

“I’m a well-trained salonist, but I don’t have my own salon because I didn’t have the capital. I was working in other people’s salons, and it was challenging because if I get a client and charge Sh600, I have to share with the owner – Sh300 each,” she said.

She told the President that the NYOTA funds would finally allow her to start her own business.

“Now I plan to start my own salon,” she said.

When Ruto asked her where she intended to set up the salon, Judy replied, “Pipeline, Nairobi.”

The President laughed and said, “Kumbe uko mnoma hivo? So nikiwa Nairobi, nikiwa maround, naweza kukutembelea?”

Judy responded, “Ukiwa Nairobi unaweza nikonect na clients.”

“Okay, my dear, thank you very much,” the President told her as he wrapped up the conversation.

The NYOTA Programme is part of the government’s youth empowerment agenda, offering start-up capital to young entrepreneurs in phases.

On Thursday, Ruto disbursed Sh147.5 million to young entrepreneurs in Machakos, Kitui and Makueni counties during the Thursday event.

According to State House, the programme benefited 5,901 youths, each receiving Sh25,000 in the first phase to start or expand their businesses.

Of this amount, Sh22,000 was deposited directly into beneficiaries’ Pochi la Biashara mobile money accounts, while Sh3,000 was saved under the Haba na Haba savings account.

The savings account is managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), promoting a savings culture among young businesspeople.

In the second phase, beneficiaries will receive an additional Sh25,000, bringing the total start-up capital under the NYOTA initiative to Sh50,000.

Officials said the programme aims to empower youth-led enterprises, boost local economies, and create jobs across the three counties.