NAIROBI,FEBRUARY 11, -President William Ruto on Wednesday presided over the disbursement of Sh375 million in start-up capital to 7,500 young entrepreneurs in Garissa County, marking a significant milestone in the government’s National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project.
The funds, issued as Sh 50,000 grants to each beneficiary, are part of a nationwide economic empowerment programme targeting Eight hundred and Twenty Thousand youths aged between 18 and 29 years out of these ,One Hundred and Twenty one Thousand young entrepreneurs across all 47 counties are benefiting from the business support component alone.
Speaking at Garissa High School Grounds during the launch, President Ruto said the initiative is designed to unlock grassroots enterprise and reduce youth unemployment.
“We are putting capital directly into the hands of young people because they are not job seekers they are job creators,” President Ruto said.
“NYOTA is about dignity, opportunity, and building an economy from the ground up.” said the President
Among the beneficiaries is Omar Abdi, a small-scale milk trader from Balambala Constituency, whose daily business revolves around connecting rural livestock keepers to urban consumers. Abdi buys milk from farmers in Saka Ward at Sh 35 per litre and sells it in Garissa Town at Sh50, earning a Sh15 margin per litre. With the Sh 50,000 capital injection, he plans to increase his supply volume and invest in better storage equipment.
“This support means I can double my stock and serve more customers,” Abdi said. “It will not only grow my business but also help the farmers I buy from and the youths I plan to employ.”
The NYOTA Project is structured around multiple pillars as One hundred and Twenty one Thousand youths are receiving direct business grants, another Seven Hundred Thousand youths will benefit from complementary components including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), On-the-Job Experience (OJE), mentorship programmes, and expanded employment systems aimed at improving long-term workforce participation. Youth Affairs officials emphasized that the programme also seeks to nurture a savings culture among young entrepreneurs to ensure sustainability.
“This is not just about giving money,” one project coordinator explained. “It is about equipping young people with the tools, networks, and financial discipline to secure their future.”Ruto said
In Garissa County , Sh375 million injection is expected to stimulate small businesses across sectors ranging from agribusiness and retail trade to service enterprises.
As celebrations continued at the High School grounds, the message from both leaders and beneficiaries was clear: the transformation of Kenya’s economy may well begin with modest ventures like a young man selling milk powered by targeted investment and opportunity.
The funds, issued as Sh 50,000 grants to each beneficiary, are part of a nationwide economic empowerment programme targeting Eight hundred and Twenty Thousand youths aged between 18 and 29 years out of these ,One Hundred and Twenty one Thousand young entrepreneurs across all 47 counties are benefiting from the business support component alone.
Speaking at Garissa High School Grounds during the launch, President Ruto said the initiative is designed to unlock grassroots enterprise and reduce youth unemployment.
“We are putting capital directly into the hands of young people because they are not job seekers they are job creators,” President Ruto said.
“NYOTA is about dignity, opportunity, and building an economy from the ground up.” said the President
Among the beneficiaries is Omar Abdi, a small-scale milk trader from Balambala Constituency, whose daily business revolves around connecting rural livestock keepers to urban consumers. Abdi buys milk from farmers in Saka Ward at Sh 35 per litre and sells it in Garissa Town at Sh50, earning a Sh15 margin per litre. With the Sh 50,000 capital injection, he plans to increase his supply volume and invest in better storage equipment.
“This support means I can double my stock and serve more customers,” Abdi said. “It will not only grow my business but also help the farmers I buy from and the youths I plan to employ.”
The NYOTA Project is structured around multiple pillars as One hundred and Twenty one Thousand youths are receiving direct business grants, another Seven Hundred Thousand youths will benefit from complementary components including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), On-the-Job Experience (OJE), mentorship programmes, and expanded employment systems aimed at improving long-term workforce participation. Youth Affairs officials emphasized that the programme also seeks to nurture a savings culture among young entrepreneurs to ensure sustainability.
“This is not just about giving money,” one project coordinator explained. “It is about equipping young people with the tools, networks, and financial discipline to secure their future.”Ruto said
In Garissa County , Sh375 million injection is expected to stimulate small businesses across sectors ranging from agribusiness and retail trade to service enterprises.
As celebrations continued at the High School grounds, the message from both leaders and beneficiaries was clear: the transformation of Kenya’s economy may well begin with modest ventures like a young man selling milk powered by targeted investment and opportunity.
