Ruto: Don’t let ‘Bazuu’ attention waste your NYOTA funds

President Ruto with NYOTA beneficiary Kelvin

President William Ruto cautioned young Kenyans against misusing government-backed start-up capital on short-lived pleasures and relationships, stressing that the funds are meant to ignite sustainable business ventures and long-term economic stability.

The exchange took place in a public setting during a NYOTA fund distribution event in Meru, where President Ruto engaged directly with a beneficiary identified as Kelvin.

The conversation, which was both motivational and advisory, underscored the administration’s emphasis on prudent financial management among young people receiving the grants.

Ruto began by asking Kelvin about his personal circumstances.

“Let me ask you, Kelvin, are you married?” the President asked. Kelvin replied that he was not married. “No, I’m not married.”

Probing further, Ruto asked whether Kelvin had a girlfriend. When the President teased that it was “not yet,” Kelvin explained that he preferred to first stabilise his life before entering into marriage.

Ruto then shifted to a broader message on social expectations, particularly the attention young men often receive on social media, where women tend to lionise them with nicknames such as “Bazuu”, “Bazenga” and “Wakudumu”, alluding to attractiveness or perceived prosperity.

“Now, ladies are looking at you on social media. Tonight, they’ll praise you, calling you names like Bazuu, Bazenga, Wakudumu. Will you use this money on them?” Ruto asked.

Kelvin’s response was firm and aligned with the President’s caution. “No, I have plans with this money,” he said.

The exchange reflects a recurring theme in President Ruto’s messaging around the NYOTA Project, a flagship national initiative designed to empower youth by providing business start-up capital, entrepreneurship training and pathways into employment and self-sufficiency.

In outlining the purpose of the NYOTA funds, the President and other government officials have repeatedly urged beneficiaries to channel the financial support into income-generating ventures rather than personal consumption or pursuits linked to social status.

Ruto has described the initiative as a cornerstone of youth empowerment, aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods and addressing unemployment through enterprise development and skills training.

The pointed dialogue between Ruto and Kelvin has resonated widely on social media platforms, with many commentators framing it as a candid illustration of the broader challenges facing youth as they balance social pressures with long-term financial planning at a time of economic uncertainty.

The President’s counsel to Kelvin, and by extension to thousands of young Kenyans, underscores the State’s expectation that public resources earmarked for economic empowerment should be invested wisely, with a focus on lasting impact rather than temporary gratification.