More than 6,150 youth from Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Meru Counties have received a total of KSh153.75 million under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme as the government expanded its youth enterprise initiative across the Mt Kenya East region.
The beneficiaries were issued with the grants during a ceremony at Kirubia Stadium in Chuka attended by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Public Service Principal Secretary Betsy Njagi, Cooperatives Principal Secretary Patrick Kilemi, Tharaka Nithi Deputy Governor Muisraeli Nyaga, Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, Chuka Igambang’ombe MP Patrick Munene, Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni, Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri and other leaders.
The regional disbursement forms part of the second phase of the nationwide NYOTA programme under which the government has released more than KSh 3 billion to over 122,000 young entrepreneurs across all 47 counties.
MSEA CEO Henry Rithaa is spearheading the NYOTA (National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement) Project, which equips Kenyan youth with entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and business start-up capital.
It supports Micro and Small Enterprises through access to markets, skills development, incubation centres, technology transfer and financing initiatives.
Speaking during the launch, President William Ruto defended the programme against critics who had questioned whether grants of Sh 25,000 could transform businesses.
“When we launched the NYOTA Enterprise Programme, some questioned whether Sh 25,000 could truly make a difference. Every great enterprise was once a small one. Every successful entrepreneur was once a beginner,” the President said.
The latest disbursement saw 88,934 beneficiaries receive a second Sh 25,000 grant after successfully investing their initial allocation, bringing their total support to Sh 50,000.
Another 33,269 youths received their first grants.
The President also announced a two year waiver on business permit fees for all NYOTA-supported enterprises and directed the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council to work with County governments to implement the measure.
He further instructed the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development to establish a national identification system for NYOTA beneficiaries to facilitate access to government services, incentives and future financing.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, speaking at a parallel event in Nakuru, said the programme targets young people aged between 18 and 29 who did not transition to university or college and face difficulties securing formal employment.
He said the programme guarantees equal opportunities, with half the beneficiaries being women, half men and five per cent reserved for persons with disabilities.
Besides business grants, NYOTA provides industrial attachments, Recognition of Prior Learning certification and support for youth seeking access to government procurement opportunities.
At the Chuka event, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku urged residents of Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi to remain politically united and support President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki.
“Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi must remain together and speak with one voice. We should support President William Ruto and his deputy, Kithure Kindiki,” Ruku said.
He also called for recognition of the distinct identity of communities in Mt Kenya East, saying this should not be interpreted as division but as respect for Kenya’s cultural diversity.
“When we say the Ameru are not Kikuyus, we are not insulting anyone. We are all Kenyans, but just as a Luo is not a Luhya, a Kalenjin is not a Somali, or a Taita is not a Mijikenda, every community has its own identity. We want our culture to be respected as provided for in the Constitution and in the protection of marginalized communities,” he said.
Ruku further claimed that historical allocation of road development funds had disadvantaged Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties compared to other parts of the Mt Kenya region, arguing that the three counties should strengthen their bargaining power in national developments.
“I know you are scholars. Go and check the statistics. About 77.7 per cent of road development funds allocated to the Mt Kenya region went to Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a and neighbouring counties, leaving only 23.3 percent for Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi. Are we not also Kenyans? We must have bargaining power,” he said.
Edited by John Majau
