Over 5,000 young entrepreneurs from West Pokot, Trans Nzoia and Turkana counties gathered at Kishaunet Showground in Kapenguria for the disbursement of NYOTA Business Start-up Capital during the nationwide disbursement exercise led by H.E. President Dr. William Samoei Ruto.
The Kapenguria event was led by the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, on behalf of the President, and formed part of the Government’s coordinated nationwide initiative to empower young entrepreneurs through access to business support under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project. Also in attendance were the Cabinet Secretary for East African Community (EAC), ASALs and Regional Development, Hon. Beatrice Askul Moe, West Pokot Governor Hon. Simeon Kachapin Kitalei, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assembly and other national and county government leaders.
A total of KSh 193.4 million was disbursed to beneficiaries drawn from the three counties, underscoring the Government’s continued investment in youth entrepreneurship, job creation and inclusive economic growth.
Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of EAC, ASALs and Regional Development, Hon. Beatrice Askul Moe and West Pokot Governor Hon. Simeon Kachapin Kitalei giving their remarks during the ceremony.
During the event, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Oparanya reaffirmed H.E. President Dr. William Ruto’s directive to establish a National NYOTA Identification Mechanism, which will provide beneficiaries with a unified identity to facilitate seamless access to Government services, programmes and incentives as they grow their enterprises.
Cabinet Secretary Hon. Beatrice Askul Moe encouraged beneficiaries to invest in businesses that harness the unique economic potential of their local communities, urging them to build sustainable enterprises that create employment while responding to local market opportunities.
Beyond the official addresses, the ceremony provided a platform for beneficiaries to share how the project is transforming livelihoods. Young entrepreneurs who had previously received their first tranche narrated how they had expanded their businesses, while newly enrolled beneficiaries expressed optimism about turning their business ideas into sustainable enterprises.
Cornelius Kioko’s story stood out as a testament to what a modest start can grow into. After receiving his first tranche of Kshs. 22,000, he purchased a trolley and began selling boiled eggs and smokies. What started as a business moving two crates of eggs and a single packet of smokies a day has, through consistency and hard work, grown into a thriving venture now selling up to five crates of eggs and three packets of smokies daily.
Cornelius Kioko Nyota Beneficiary from Westpokot County sharing his success story.
Sarah Muliro, also a NYOTA beneficiary from Trans Nzoia County, shared an equally compelling journey. With her first tranche of Kshs. 22,000, she bought a donkey, which she now uses to transport water for members of her community who lack easy access to it. The donkey, she shared, is currently expectant, a development she welcomes not just personally but as good news for her business, since it means an additional donkey to grow her water transport enterprise. She plans to use her second and final tranche of Kshs. 22,000 to purchase yet another donkey, allowing her to expand her reach, serve more households, and increase her daily earnings.
Sarah Muliro, a NYOTA beneficiary sharing her story.
Stories such as those of Cornelius and Sarah demonstrate the tangible impact of the NYOTA Business Support intervention. Beyond providing business start-up capital, the programme is equipping young entrepreneurs with the opportunity, confidence and resources to build sustainable enterprises, create employment and improve household incomes. As implementation continues across the country, thousands more youth are expected to transform innovative ideas into thriving businesses, advancing the Government’s agenda of expanding economic opportunities for young Kenyans.
Pictorial highlights during the ceremony.
