Kisumu County, February 2026 – Jomo Kenyatta Stadium came alive with energy as more than 6,000 young entrepreneurs from Kisumu, Siaya and Homa Bay counties gathered in high spirits for the NYOTA Business Start-Up Capital Disbursement, Presided over by H.E. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya, alongside the Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, the forum brought together beneficiaries from 105 wards across the three counties.
Under the Business Support Component of the NYOTA Project, implemented by the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), beneficiaries will receive KSh 50,000 in start-up capital in two phases. The support blends direct business financing with a structured savings component, reinforcing financial discipline while laying the foundation for sustainable enterprise growth. Nationally, the project is on course to empower over 100,000 youth to start and scale businesses.
Addressing the enthusiastic crowd, President Ruto underscored the central role of young people in driving Kenya’s economic transformation. He urged beneficiaries to apply the business skills acquired during training and utilize the start-up capital to build enterprises that create jobs and strengthen local economies.
“Young people are not waiting for the future; you are shaping it. This support is meant to help you build businesses that grow, create employment and change lives,” President Ruto said.
The President further encouraged eligible youth to enroll in the ongoing On-the-Job Experience component of the NYOTA Project by dialing *254#, ahead of the 13th February 2026 deadline. The program is designed to provide practical workplace exposure and enhance job readiness for thousands of young Kenyans.
Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki noted that the project complements other national programmes focused on employment creation, skills development and enterprise support. The Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, highlighted the strong coordination among government institutions in the delivery of the NYOTA Project.
Principal Secretary, State Department for MSMEs, Hon. Susan Mangeni, assured beneficiaries of continued support through mentorship and linkages to local business ecosystems, enabling them to access markets, networks and growth opportunities beyond the initial capital injection.
Describing NYOTA as a transformative national intervention, President Ruto reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to youth empowerment.
“There has never been a more comprehensive programme for the empowerment of young people in the Republic of Kenya than what we have today,” he said.
