President Ruto Disburses KSh250 Million to Over 9,500 Young Entrepreneurs in North Rift

President William Samoei Ruto has presided over the disbursement of KSh250 million under the Nyota Business Start-Up Capital Programme, benefiting more than 9,500 young entrepreneurs from Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, and West Pokot counties.

Each beneficiary received KSh22,000 to grow their businesses, with an additional KSh3,000 deposited into their savings accounts at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Speaking during the event in Eldoret, President Ruto emphasized that the programme goes beyond cash handouts. “This initiative combines start-up capital, savings, skills certification, and on-the-job training to equip young people with the tools they need to create sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

The President also announced that 20,000 young people will benefit from the Recognition of Prior Learning component, which provides a government-funded certification course of up to one month to facilitate a smooth transition into employment.

In addition, another 90,000 youth will undergo on-the-job training, being attached to master craftsmen and women for skills transfer. Each trainee will receive a KSh6,000 monthly stipend for six months, while master craftsmen are compensated and the cost of certification fully covered by the government.

To promote inclusivity, President Ruto said the government will train 600,000 young people, women, and persons with disabilities to access the 30 percent of government procurement opportunities reserved for these groups.

“Together with labour mobility, affordable housing, development of markets and hostels, and the expansion of digital jobs, we are confronting unemployment and eradicating poverty,” the President said.

The Nyota programme is part of the government’s broader agenda to empower youth, women, and persons with disabilities, creating wealth, fostering entrepreneurship, and driving national development.