President William Ruto has hit back at critics of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme after the government released more than Sh3 billion in grants to over 122,000 young entrepreneurs nationwide.
Speaking on Friday during the second tranche disbursement of the NYOTA Business Start-up Programme, the President reported that the initiative was delivering real results despite scepticism over the size of the grants.
"When we launched the NYOTA Enterprise Programme, some questioned whether Sh25,000 could truly make a difference," he said.
"Every great enterprise was once a small one. Every successful entrepreneur was once a beginner."
The latest payout saw 88,934 beneficiaries receive a second Sh25,000 grant after successfully investing their first allocation, bringing their total support to Sh50,000.
Another 33,269 young Kenyans received their first grants, taking the total number of beneficiaries in the latest phase to more than 122,000 across all 47 counties.
Ruto maintained the programme was about creating opportunities rather than handing out cash, arguing that youth enterprise remains one of the Government's biggest weapons against unemployment.
In a major boost for beneficiaries, the President announced a two-year waiver of business permits for all NYOTA businesses. He directed the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council to work with county governments to implement the measure.
He also instructed the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development to roll out a national NYOTA identification system to enable beneficiaries to access government services, incentives and future financing with ease.
"Young businesses deserve the opportunity to establish themselves before bearing the full cost of compliance," the President said.
At a parallel event in Nakuru, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki defended the programme, saying it specifically targets young people aged between 18 and 29 who missed out on university or college education and often struggle to secure formal employment.
He said the programme guarantees equal opportunities, with half the beneficiaries being women, half men, and five per cent reserved for persons with disabilities.
Prof Kindiki said 4,100 young people in Nakuru benefited from the latest disbursement, among them 3,000 receiving their second tranche and 1,100 first-time recipients.
In neighbouring Baringo, about 2,900 youths received grants, while another 1,900 beneficiaries were supported in Nyandarua. Beyond start-up capital, he said NYOTA also offers industrial attachments for 90,000 youths, Recognition of Prior Learning certification for skilled workers without formal qualifications, and support for more than 6,000 young people seeking access to government procurement opportunities.
"We have ensured every county, every ward, men, women and persons with disabilities are represented. This is the fairest government programme ever," Kindiki said.
Explaining the need for the business boost to young Kenyans, Kindiki said it was going to trickle down to everyone.
"Our young people were never waiting for handouts. They were waiting for an opportunity. And when opportunity meets determination, ambition becomes enterprise; enterprise creates jobs; Jobs support families. Strong families build a strong nation," he explained.
The Deputy President also criticised those dismissing the capital boost as inconsequential, urging them to offer better.
“I have heard some people say that Sh22,000 is too little, but if you think this is little money, please come and help us provide more. For the time being, we are grateful, but in future we will expand this grant so that it can be larger than it is at the moment.”
