Ruto rallies Coast voters behind his re-election bid as he launches Nyota

Speaking when he launched the Nyota funds targeting youth enterprises in the region, the President said Coast should not drag its feet again in 2027.

The region has traditionally voted for the Opposition led by late Prime Minister Raila Odinga including in the 2022 elections.

“This time round Coast must not lag behind, we must go together in building our country,” Ruto said.

The President took a swipe at the Opposition whom he accused of having no clue on how to transform the country and are only out to divide the nation with tribal politics.

Ruto said the country has made huge steps forward and will not fall to the division being pushed by his critics.

“We agreed with Raila that we end tribal and hate politics, that is why we are today walking with our brothers from ODM, some serving in my Cabinet. This country has no room for divisive and politics of hate,” he said.

The President said his administration will serve all Kenyans without any discrimination citing the ongoing Nyota fund being rolled out in all the wards across the country.

“There are people who do not have vision and ideas. That is their trade mark but God willing we shall transform this country going forward,” Ruto said.

The President was accompanied by his deputy Kithure Kindiki, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Cabinet secretaries Wyclife Oparanya (Cooperatives), Hassan Joho (Mining), Salim Mvurya (Sports) and Alfred Mutua (Labour) amongst other local leaders and government officials.

Ruto said the Coast remains a key pillar of his development agenda, citing ongoing investments in infrastructure, the blue economy and youth empowerment.

He said the Nyota programme is designed to unlock capital for young people, enabling them to start and grow businesses while creating jobs at the grassroots.

The President urged the youth to take advantage of the funds to become self-reliant, even as he announced plans to roll out second pillar of the Nyota program – the On-Job Experience targeting 90,000 youths.

“Under this pillar, youths are attached to master craftsmen for six months and receive a monthly stipend of Sh6,0000. The government will cover the cost of training , assessment and  certification,” he stated.

“We urge our young people across the country to apply for these opportunities to strengthen their employability through practical skills and hands-on experience”.

Kindiki said the Nyota funds would go a long way in easing unemployment clarifying that all beneficiaries will receive Sh50,000 at the end of the program.

He explained that the first tranche being disbursed will see each beneficiary receiving Sh25,000, including Sh22,000 channeled to their phones while Sh3000 taken as savings to NSSF.

“It will be Sh50,000 at the end of the program, phase one is Sh22,00, the remaining Sh3000 sent to NSSF to open an account for your pension. Next phase you will get Sh22,000 and Sh3000 to NSSF,” he explained.

A total of Sh126 million was disbursed to 5,040 youths drawn from Lamu, Kilifi, and Tana River counties.