Only 25 per cent of Kenyans believe the Nyota Fund application and selection process was transparent, a new poll has shown.
The opinion poll released by Infotrak says 31 per cent of Kenyans believe it is not transparent.
The largest number of those skeptical of the process is in the Coast region at 42 per cent.
The older generation – aged 46 and above – showed the greatest mistrust at 42 per cent.
Twenty-nine per cent of the unemployed also believe that the initiative, which is funded by the government, is very transparent.
The poll also shows there is a clear disconnect in what the public believes the fund’s primary goal is.
Nationally, 60 per cent see it as a source for business grants, but in Northeastern Kenya, 42 per cent believe its primary focus is mentorship and training—the highest such percentage in the country.
On the priority of support, a significant portion of the public (26 per cent) believes that youth with business ideas regardless of education, should be the top priority for support.
This sentiment is strongest in the Rift Valley (35 per cent) and among the 46+ age group, with the same percentage.
The Nyota project is a five-year initiative by the government, supported by the World Bank.
It seeks to empower 820,000 unemployed youth (aged 18–29, or up to 35 for persons living with disability).
The poll was conducted on January 24. It achieved a sample size of 800 respondents, representing the universe of adult Kenyans.
The sampling frame was designed using Population Proportionate to Size, guided by the 2019 census.
The margin of error is ±3.46 per cent at a 95 per cent confidence level.
The survey covered all 47 counties.
President William Ruto has been moving across the country to disburse the funds.
On Monday, he was in Kisumu, where he distributed more than Sh220 million to over 8,000 youths.
The President assured Kenyans of the programme’s transparency, saying corruption will not be tolerated.
Beneficiaries of the Business Support Component receive start-up capital to launch or expand small enterprises, with access conditional on completing the required training.
Phase 2 of the programme follows a nationwide training initiative and builds on earlier disbursements across other counties.
The project has a structured mentorship and business development component, aimed at equipping youth with the knowledge and guidance to grow sustainable businesses.
Officials have urged beneficiaries to adhere to the schedule and to attend their assigned venues, emphasising that updates will be shared only through official Nyota channels.
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