KSh 220 Million NYOTA Boost Targets Youth Enterprise Growth in Nyanza

By Kepher Otieno - Reporter

Kenya, 2 February 2026 - The government on Monday rolled out KSh 220 million in start-up capital for young entrepreneurs in the Nyanza region under the NYOTA programme, a flagship youth empowerment initiative aimed at promoting enterprise creation, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods.

The disbursement, presided over by President William Ruto at Kisumu’s Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, will benefit 8,820 young people drawn from 105 wards across Siaya, Kisumu, and Homa Bay counties.

The programme targets youth-led micro and small enterprises, with a focus on translating skills into income-generating activities.

NYOTA beneficiaries were required to complete a mandatory four-day business skills training programme before qualifying for funding. The training equipped participants with practical knowledge in business planning, financial management, customer relations, and enterprise growth, ensuring that the capital injection is supported by basic entrepreneurial capacity.

Under the first phase of the NYOTA Start-Up Capital disbursement, each beneficiary will receive KSh25,000. Of this amount, KSh22,000 will be credited directly to the Pochi la Biashara account to support immediate business operations, while KSh3,000 will be deposited into the Haba na Haba savings account managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). The savings component is designed to encourage a culture of long-term financial planning among young entrepreneurs.

In the second phase, beneficiaries will receive an additional KSh25,000, bringing the total start-up capital support to KSh50,000 per participant. Officials say the phased approach allows beneficiaries to stabilise their enterprises before receiving further capital, reducing the risk of business failure.

Speaking during the event, President Ruto said youth empowerment remains a central pillar of the government’s economic agenda, noting that young people constitute the country’s largest and most productive demographic.

“Young people are our biggest economic asset. Programmes like NYOTA are designed to ensure they have the tools and resources to create value, not just for themselves but for the wider economy,” he said.

The launch in Kisumu drew a strong presence of Cabinet Secretaries and senior government officials, reflecting the multi-sectoral nature of the programme. Among those in attendance were Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya, Labour CS Dr. Alfred Mutua, and Sports CS Salim Mvurya.

Principal Secretaries present included Interior PS Dr. Raymond Omollo, Youth Affairs PS Firikini Jacobs, MSMEs PS Susan Mang’eni, Cooperatives PS Caroline Agengo, and Children Affairs PS Dr Ouma Oluga, among others.

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Officials said coordination across ministries is critical to ensuring that youth-focused initiatives are effectively implemented and monitored.

Beyond direct financing, the NYOTA programme is structured to link beneficiaries with broader government initiatives, including access to markets, cooperative development, and additional skills training.

The inclusion of savings through NSSF is also expected to enhance financial resilience and improve long-term economic outcomes for young entrepreneurs.

The Nyanza rollout forms part of a nationwide plan targeting 820,000 youth across the country. By combining training, start-up capital, and savings, the programme seeks to address key barriers facing young entrepreneurs, particularly access to capital and limited financial literacy.

As Kenya continues to grapple with high youth unemployment, initiatives such as NYOTA are increasingly being positioned as practical interventions to bridge the gap between skills acquisition and economic participation. Government officials say the success of the programme will ultimately be measured by the sustainability of the businesses created and their contribution to local economies.

The event was attended by several Cabinet Secretaries and senior government officials, including Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Cooperatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya, Labour CS Dr. Alfred Mutua, and Sports CS Salim Mvurya.

Also present were Principal Secretaries led by Interior PS Dr Raymond Omollo, Youth Affairs PS Firikini Jacobs, MSMEs PS Susan Mang’eni, Cooperatives PS Caroline Agengo, Children Affairs PS Dr. Ouma Oluga, among other senior government officials.

Thousands of youth who turned out at the event yelled and waved at Ruto shouting "tutam", two-term in symbolic gesture of assuring him of being re-elected back to office.

Security had rough time trying to screen them to enter the packed stadium and at some point, they gave up on the youth pressure and let the gates wide open.