A dramatic and emotional moment unfolded at Gusii Stadium in Kisii on Wednesday when a young woman fell to her knees and pleaded with President William Ruto for help to expand her business.
Ruto was presiding over the disbursement of NYOTA business start-up capital to young entrepreneurs from Kisii, Nyamira and Migori counties when he began interacting with some of the beneficiaries, asking them to explain their business ideas and how the money would help improve their livelihoods.
When her turn came, the woman identified as Eunice Wanya told the President she had been closely following his leadership and empowerment programmes and had long nurtured a plan to expand her small clothing business by starting a laundry service in her area.
“Anything you want me to do better, in a different way?” Ruto asked as she gathered herself.
Wanya explained that she had been planning to start a laundry business alongside selling clothes, noting that such a service was lacking in her locality and presented a clear business opportunity.
She said she had followed the President on social media, including Instagram, hoping for a chance to meet him.
“I have been following you, trying to meet you, and I am happy I have finally met you. I see my dreams coming true,” she said, her voice breaking.
Ruto sought clarity. “So your dream is to start that laundry?” he asked.
“Yes,” she responded.
“So nikupange?” the President followed up.
Overcome with emotion, the woman dropped to her knees, pleading, “Nipange tafadhali, naomba,” as tears streamed down her face.
The moment drew cheers from the crowd as Ruto quickly moved to assist her to her feet.
“Aiya, tutapangana. Relax,” the President said reassuringly, before turning to his aides.
“Wapi mtu yangu hapo? Chukua simu yake hapo,” he added, instructing an aide to take her contact details as the leaders and crowd continued cheering.
Ruto was in Kisii to oversee the release of NYOTA business start-up capital targeting youth entrepreneurs across the three counties.
A total of 8,820 beneficiaries are set to receive Sh220.5 million in the initial phase after successfully completing a mandatory four-day business skills training programme.
The training focused on practical areas including financial management, entrepreneurship and business growth, aimed at equipping participants with skills to start, strengthen and sustain their enterprises.
Under the first phase of the programme, each beneficiary will receive Sh25,000. Of this amount, Sh22,000 will be credited directly to the beneficiary’s Pochi la Biashara account to support immediate business start-up or expansion, while Sh3,000 will be deposited into a Haba na Haba savings account managed by the National Social Security Fund.
In the second phase, beneficiaries will receive an additional Sh25,000, bringing the total start-up capital per entrepreneur to Sh50,000.
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