KISUMU, Kenya — President William Ruto on Monday disbursed KSh220 million in NYOTA Start-Up Capital Grants to more than 8,000 young entrepreneurs from Kisumu, Siaya, and Homa Bay counties, in a move aimed at boosting youth-led businesses and stimulating local economic growth.
Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Kisumu, President Ruto said the initiative is part of the government’s wider strategy to equip youth with financial resources and business skills.
“The NYOTA program is designed to unlock the potential of young entrepreneurs and support them to build sustainable businesses that will create jobs and grow our economy,” President Ruto said.
The beneficiaries, drawn from 105 wards across the three counties, Kisumu (35 wards), Siaya (30 wards), and Homa Bay (40 wards), completed a four-day business skills training program that provided practical knowledge on establishing, managing, and scaling small enterprises.
Under the first phase of the NYOTA Start-Up Capital program, each entrepreneur received KSh25,000, with KSh22,000 credited to a Pochi la Biashara account for immediate business operations and KSh3,000 deposited into a Haba na Haba Savings Account managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). The second phase will see an additional KSh25,000 per beneficiary, bringing total support to KSh50,000.
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“This combination of funding and training equips our youth to transform ideas into thriving businesses, creating employment opportunities and strengthening local economies,” Ruto added.
The NYOTA Start-Up Capital program is part of the government’s broader youth empowerment agenda, which also includes initiatives in agriculture, ICT, and vocational skills development.
Analysts note that such programs have the potential to reduce unemployment among young Kenyans, particularly in Western Kenya, where youth entrepreneurship remains a key driver of economic resilience.
The event saw beneficiaries expressing gratitude, with many highlighting plans to launch businesses ranging from agribusiness to digital services, reflecting a growing trend of youth-led innovation in the region.
