What You Need to Know
The NYOTA Project is set to empower 50,000 young Kenyans with business start-up capital across 27 counties, beginning January 8. Each beneficiary will receive Sh22,000 for their business and additional savings support. The initiative aims to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth among the youth, with mentorship included to ensure effective use of funds.
Africa-Press – Kenya. At least 50,000 young Kenyans across 27 counties will begin receiving business start-up capital under Phase Two of the NYOTA Project starting this Friday.
According to a detailed disbursement schedule released by Principal Secretary for MSMEs Development Susan Mang’eni, the nationwide rollout will be presided over by President William Ruto, who is expected to attend the events.
The disbursement and accompanying mentorship forums will run for one week, beginning January 8, with the first event scheduled to take place in Eldoret before moving to other regions across the country.
It will held across seven counties of Eldoret, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Nyeri, Meru, Machakos and Nairobi on diverse dates.
The nationwide initiative, managed by the State Department for MSMEs Development, aims to empower vulnerable youth in all 1,450 wards of Kenya, with a minimum of 70 beneficiaries per ward.
Each selected youth will receive Sh22,000 deposited into their NYOTA Pochi la Biashara wallet, while an additional Sh3,000 will go into their Haba na Haba savings account under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
The rollout follows the successful first phase in November 2025, which saw over 12,000 beneficiaries in Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, and Bungoma counties receive start-up capital.
Beneficiaries are required to have completed a mandatory three-day business skills training before receiving the grant.
The disbursement schedule for the 27 counties is as follows:
Jan 8- Eldoret: Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Trans-Nzoia, Turkana, West Pokot
Jan 9- Nakuru: Nakuru, Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Baringo
Jan 12- Nanyuki: Laikipia, Isiolo, Samburu
Jan 12- Nyeri:, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua
Jan 14- Meru: Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu
Jan 15- Machakos: Machakos, Kitui, Makueni
Jan 16- Nairobi: Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado
“Through the NYOTA Project, we are giving young Kenyans the tools to start businesses, generate income, and contribute to local economies,” said Mang’eni.
Beneficiaries are expected, she added, are expected to utilise the business grant fully as per their business plans developed during the classroom business skills training, and will be supported by business development experts.
“The mentorship component ensures that these grants are used effectively, with guidance from business development experts and local entrepreneurs,” said the PS.
In addition to financial support, beneficiaries will participate in a two-month mentorship program and a second phase of business development training, designed to guide them from planning to sustainable operation of their enterprises.
The government says the third phase of the NYOTA Project, covering the remaining 16 counties including Mombasa, Kilifi, and Garissa, will be announced in due course, expanding opportunities for thousands more young entrepreneurs.
As the first grants are set to be disbursed this week, excitement is building among beneficiaries eager to launch businesses ranging from retail shops to small-scale manufacturing, signaling a new wave of youth-driven economic growth across Kenya.
The NYOTA Project was initiated to address youth unemployment and promote entrepreneurship in Kenya. The first phase, launched in November 2025, successfully supported over 12,000 young people in select counties. This second phase aims to expand the initiative’s reach, providing essential resources and training to empower a larger number of youth across the nation.
With the government’s focus on youth empowerment, the NYOTA Project represents a significant investment in the future of Kenya’s economy. By providing financial support and mentorship, the initiative seeks to cultivate a new generation of entrepreneurs who can contribute to sustainable economic development and job creation in the
