[PHOTOS] Ruto presides over disbursement of NYOTA funds in Mombasa

President William Ruto, alongside Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, during the disbursement of NYOTA funds at Mombasa’s ASK Show on February 6, 2026 /PCS

President William Ruto, accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, will today preside over the disbursement of start-up capital to thousands of young entrepreneurs under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme at the Jomo Kenyatta Showground.

A total of 5,880 youth from Mombasa, Kwale, and Taita-Taveta counties received Sh139.5 million in the first phase of the NYOTA Business Start-Up Capital.

The beneficiaries were drawn from 70 wards across the three counties — 30 from Mombasa, 20 from Kwale, and 20 from Taita-Taveta.

Under the programme, each recipient received Sh25,000. Of this, Sh22,000 was credited directly to mobile phone accounts, while Sh3,000 was 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 to Sh50,000 per entrepreneur.

The fund disbursement follows the completion of a four-day business skills training designed to equip young people with practical skills to start and grow their enterprises.

“The NYOTA programme is a key pillar of the government’s youth empowerment agenda,” Ruto said.

“It aims to expand access to funds, strengthen entrepreneurship, and create sustainable livelihoods for young people across the country.”

With today’s event, youth from 44 counties have benefited from the programme.

Next week, the remaining three north-eastern counties — Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa — will receive start-up funds, completing the first component of NYOTA.

The programme’s second component, On-the-Job Experience, has already been advertised.

Through this initiative, 90,000 beneficiaries will be attached to master craftsmen in carpentry, masonry, plumbing, and electrification for six months. Each will receive a monthly stipend of Sh6,000 during the attachment period.

Young people interested in registering can dial *254#, select NYOTA, and choose On-the-Job Experience.