President William Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki interacting with some of the NYOTA beneficiaries in Malindi yesterday. Photo/Courtesy.
By MKT Reporter
A total of 5,040 young entrepreneurs from Lamu, Kilifi and Tana River counties yesterday received KSh126 million under the Business Start-Up Capital component of the NYOTA programme during a ceremony held in Malindi.
President William Ruto, who presided over the event, said the beneficiaries each received the first tranche of KSh25,000 out of the total KSh50,000 business support package.
Of this amount, KSh22,000 is paid directly to the youth while KSh3,000 is saved under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
So far, young entrepreneurs from 44 counties have benefited from the programme. Today, the President is expected to preside over the disbursement of funds to beneficiaries from the remaining Coast counties of Mombasa, Kwale and Taita-Taveta.
President Ruto announced that the government is set to roll out the second component of the NYOTA programme, dubbed On-the-Job Experience, targeting 90,000 young people. Under the initiative, beneficiaries will be attached to master craftsmen for six months and receive a monthly stipend of KSh6,000, with the government covering the cost of training, assessment and certification.
Already, 532,000 youth have applied for the opportunity.
The President urged more young people to apply by dialling *254# and selecting the On-the-Job Experience option under the NYOTA project.
He said the programme is aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and is designed to ensure inclusivity by giving all young people, regardless of background, access to business opportunities and skills training.
Highlighting development projects in Kilifi County, the President said the government has invested KSh21 billion in affordable housing, modern markets and student hostels.
He noted that the Affordable Housing Programme has created more than 5,000 jobs in the county and over 500,000 jobs nationally.
On infrastructure, President Ruto said KSh2.2 billion has been allocated to improve electricity connectivity in Kilifi County.
He also pointed to gains in the blue economy, including the establishment of nine fish landing sites across the Coast region.
Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho said more than 100 boats have been issued to young people, while KSh983 million has been disbursed to 278 groups in Kilifi County.
The President reiterated that no child should be sent home over school fees or uniforms, noting that KSh44 billion was released to schools in January to cater for capitation.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the NYOTA programme targets youth who miss out on opportunities due to limited formal education.
World Bank Country Director Qimiao Fan described NYOTA as an innovative and inclusive initiative aimed at closing opportunity gaps.
Governors from Lamu, Kilifi and Tana River counties said beneficiaries of the programme have been exempted from paying county levies.
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