Beneficiaries Laud NYOTA Start-Up Grants

Beneficiaries of the NYOTA business capital start-up grants have welcomed the government initiative, saying the KSh50,000 seed capital is a significant boost to their efforts to establish and grow micro and small enterprises.

Speaking during the NYOTA business capital start-up disbursement ceremony held in Kisumu City, several young entrepreneurs said the grants will enable them to purchase initial stock, tools and equipment, giving their businesses a firm foundation. They noted that, when combined with the business skills training offered under the NYOTA programme, the funding positions them for sustainable growth.

The beneficiaries further observed that the grant serves as a stepping stone to other government-backed financing opportunities. These include the Hustler Bridge Fund, which provides loans of up to KSh150,000 for expanding enterprises, and Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) loans that can finance businesses with amounts of up to KSh20 million.

President William Ruto presided over the Kisumu City disbursement, where a total of KSh220 million was released to 8,820 beneficiaries drawn from Homa Bay, Kisumu and Siaya counties. The President said the NYOTA programme is a key pillar of the government’s strategy to create jobs and income opportunities for young people across the country.

He reiterated that the initiative aligns with the administration’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda, aimed at empowering citizens at the grassroots level and delivering on the “pesa mfukoni” pledge. According to the President, investing in youth-led enterprises is critical to driving inclusive economic growth and reducing unemployment.

Government officials at the event emphasized that NYOTA goes beyond financial support by equipping beneficiaries with practical business management skills, mentorship and access to markets. They said this holistic approach is designed to improve the survival and growth rate of small businesses, particularly those run by young people.

As the programme continues to be rolled out nationwide, beneficiaries in the Lake Region expressed optimism that the combination of start-up capital, training and access to affordable credit will transform their livelihoods and contribute to local economic development.