Ruto oversees disbursement of Sh63m Nyota funds to 2,520 youth in Garissa

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President William Ruto on Wednesday presided over the disbursement of Sh63 million in NYOTA Business Start-Up Capital grants to 2,520 young entrepreneurs drawn from all 30 wards of Garissa County.

The event, held at the Garissa High School grounds, marked a significant step in the government’s push to economically empower young people under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Speaking during the ceremony, President Ruto said his administration had made a deliberate effort to involve and empower the youth, noting that they hold the key to the country’s future.

“By bringing young people on board, we harness their energy, talent, and knowledge for the development of our country, for the empowerment of every young person, for the growth of our economy and the progress of our nation,” he said.

The President explained that his decision to personally oversee the disbursement was a demonstration of the importance his government attaches to the youth.

“I personally came here to see the disbursement of the funds to you because you are important and you matter. Your destiny is important to me, to your parents, and to the nation of Kenya,” he said.

Ruto also dismissed criticism from the opposition regarding his engagement with young people, maintaining that he would continue to prioritise youth empowerment.

“I see entrepreneurs when I look at these young people. I see the future of this country in you. Be proud of yourselves. As a government, we are going to work with you, empower and uplift you, and create opportunities for you to do business because it is in you that the future of our country is secure,” he said.

Accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Health), Wycliffe Oparanya (Co-operatives) and Alfred Mutua (Labour), among other leaders, the President criticised leaders he accused of exploiting young people for political gain.

“I will continue spending time figuring out how Kenya can move forward and how young people cannot be misused by planless, brainless, and clueless politicians who only see in our youth tools for their own selfish interests,” he said.

Deputy President Kindiki said the disbursement was in line with the Kenya Kwanza administration’s manifesto, which prioritises uplifting low-income Kenyans through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

He urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds prudently and invest in viable businesses.

“The Somali community is hardworking and business-oriented. I believe the NYOTA Fund will help the youth of Northeastern Kenya bring real change and improve their livelihoods,” said Kindiki.

He emphasised that the NYOTA programme is non-political and open to all eligible youth.

“When you applied on your phone, you were not asked about your political affiliation, ethnicity or religion. As long as you are a Kenyan youth between 18 and 29 years old, you qualify for this empowerment programme,” he added.

Kindiki said the government was committed to ensuring equality, adding that every Kenyan must feel valued and deserving of government services and benefits.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale described the disbursement as a milestone in the implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

“Your Excellency, this programme of empowering the youth reaffirms your government’s commitment to providing equitable access to economic opportunities,” he said.

Duale dismissed critics of the programme, defending the Sh50,000 start-up capital as transformative for grassroots entrepreneurs.

“I heard some say that Sh50,000 is small money. That is because some of them spend KSh50,000 on breakfast and lunch. They should be reminded that Sh50,000 embodies the philosophy behind the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda captured in our manifesto,” he said.

Under the programme, each beneficiary will receive Sh25,000 in the first phase. Of this amount, KSh22,000 will be credited directly to the beneficiary’s Pochi la Biashara mobile account, while Sh3,000 will be deposited into a Haba na Haba Savings Account managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

In the second phase, beneficiaries will receive an additional KSh25,000, bringing the total start-up capital to Sh50,000 per youth.