President Ruto Launches Ksh.5 Billion World Bank-Backed NYOTA Program at Kasarani

In a move to integrate youth entrepreneurship with the digital economy, President William Ruto officially presided over the disbursement of Ksh.258.4 million on Monday.

The event, held at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, marks the launch of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) business support programme.

This initiative, a five-year partnership between the Kenyan government and the World Bank, represents a flagship investment valued at Ksh.5 billion aimed at scaling the nation’s human capital.

Financing via Digital Rails: Pochi la Biashara and Haba na Haba

The government noted that the disbursement structure utilizes digital financial inclusion tools to ensure transparency and social security.

A total of 10,337 young entrepreneurs from Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kajiado counties are the initial beneficiaries.

Each recipient will receive a total start-up capital of Ksh.25,000, which is broken down as follows:

• Ksh.22,000: Credited directly to the beneficiary’s Pochi la Biashara mobile money account for immediate business operations.

• Ksh.3,000: Deposited into the Haba na Haba Savings Account, managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to promote long-term financial resilience.

Furthermore, the Kenya Kwanza-led administration saidthis is only the beginning of the funding cycle.

In the second phase of the NYOTA project, these entrepreneurs will receive an additional Ksh.25,000, ultimately bringing the total individual support to Ksh.50,000.

The Vision: A “Digital Work Ecosystem”

Beyond the capital injection, President Ruto emphasized that the government is pivoting toward a tech-centric employment model.

He urged the youth to leverage the country’s growing ICT infrastructure to find work independently of traditional gatekeepers.

“Young people of Kenya, you have an opportunity to work on our digital work ecosystem without having to know anybody. You can assign yourself and work through the internet,” the President stated. “We are not just giving you money, we are also going to train you, mentor you and walk with you.”

The President highlighted that NYOTA is part of a broader strategy involving housing, labor, and ICT platforms, all designed to create a comprehensive support network for the “gig economy” and micro-enterprises.

Inclusive Innovation and Technical Support

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki praised the program’s inclusive architecture, noting that it lowers the barrier to entry for many Kenyans who might otherwise be excluded from the formal economy.

“NYOTA is promoting inclusivity in helping our youth because it doesn’t consider only those who have skills or have gone to school,” Kindiki said. “Today, 70 young people from every ward in Kiambu, Nairobi and Kajiado will leave here with financial support… This is not the only youth-empowerment program we are having under the President’s leadership.”

To ensure the sustainability of these ventures, the program mandates that funds be used strictly in accordance with business plans developed during training.

To facilitate this, the government will provide continuous technical support and mentorship.

Looking Ahead: National Expansion

While the initial launch focuses on the capital region, the program is slated for a massive national rollout.

The disbursement schedule for the third phase will be announced soon, covering 16 additional counties:

By combining direct financial transfers with digital literacy and technical mentorship, the NYOTA program aims to turn thousands of young Kenyans into tech-savvy business owners, capable of navigating the global digital marketplace.