President Ruto Launches Major Youth Empowerment Drive, Disburses Ksh.252 Million to Coastal Entrepreneurs
In a significant push to fulfill campaign pledges and tackle youth unemployment, President William Ruto has personally overseen the disbursement of Ksh.252 million in start-up capital to over 5,000 young entrepreneurs in Kenya’s coastal region. The initiative, part of the NYOTA Project, marks one of the government’s most substantial direct investments in youth-led enterprise to date.
Speaking at a vibrant forum held at Buntwani Waterfront Park in Malindi, Kilifi County, President Ruto issued a direct challenge to the nation’s youth. “We are delivering on the promises we made,” he stated, addressing a crowd of 5,040 beneficiaries from Lamu, Kilifi, and Tana River counties. He emphasized his administration’s focus on uplifting young Kenyans, particularly those who faced barriers in their formal education.
A Two-Phase Boost for Aspiring Business Owners
The funding structure is designed for sustained impact. In this first phase, each beneficiary receives Ksh.25,000. Of this, Ksh.22,000 is injected directly into their business operations, while Ksh.3,000 is channeled into a dedicated “Haba na Haba” savings account managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), encouraging a culture of long-term saving and financial security.
A second phase will see each entrepreneur receive an additional Ksh.25,000, bringing the total per-person support to Ksh.50,000. This phased approach aims to ensure businesses have the capital to stabilize and then scale.
“Creating Job Creators, Not Just Job Seekers”
The President framed the program as a fundamental shift in strategy. “This programme will enable our youth to become job creators,” he said, positioning the move as crucial for strengthening the national workforce through practical skills development and entrepreneurship.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who also addressed the forum, connected the NYOTA project to a broader government agenda. He highlighted parallel efforts in affordable housing, digital job creation, and securing overseas employment opportunities as interconnected pieces of a national plan to “bridge the employment gap.”
Kindiki also took a moment to commend a recent, separate relief measure: the government’s decision to waive the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax for low-income earners. “It will be a big relief for the workers,” he noted, underscoring an overarching theme of economic alleviation for ordinary citizens.
A Targeted Geographic Investment
The selection of beneficiaries highlights a targeted approach to regional development. The funds were distributed across 60 wards in three counties: 35 wards in Kilifi, 15 in Tana River, and 10 in Lamu. This deliberate allocation aims to stimulate local economies in areas with high potential but often limited access to startup capital.
The announcement has generated considerable discussion online and in local markets, with many Kenyans expressing hope that such tangible financial support, paired with mentorship and opportunity, can ignite a new wave of micro and small businesses along the coast and beyond.
As the first tranche of funds hits business accounts, the focus now turns to the ground. The success of this ambitious promise will ultimately be measured by the sustainability of the thousands of new ventures it seeks to launch.
