Young Kenyans across 27 counties will begin receiving business start-up capital under Phase Two of the NYOTA Project starting this Friday, the government has announced.
Principal Secretary for MSMEs Development, Susan Mang’eni, released a detailed disbursement schedule, revealing that the nationwide rollout will be presided over by President William Ruto, who is expected to attend the opening events.
The week-long disbursement, which begins on January 8, will also feature mentorship forums designed to guide beneficiaries in setting up and running their businesses. The first event will take place in Eldoret, before moving to other regions across the country. The rollout will cover Eldoret, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Nyeri, Meru, Machakos, and Nairobi on different dates.
The initiative, managed by the State Department for MSMEs Development, aims to empower vulnerable youth in all 1,450 wards of Kenya, with at least 70 beneficiaries per ward. Each selected youth will receive Sh22,000 deposited into their NYOTA Pochi la Biashara wallet, along with Sh3,000 credited to a Haba na Haba savings account under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
The Phase Two rollout follows the success of Phase One in November 2025, which provided start-up capital to over 12,000 young entrepreneurs in Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, and Bungoma counties.
To qualify for the grants, beneficiaries are required to have completed a mandatory three-day business skills training, ensuring they are prepared to use the capital effectively.
The disbursement schedule for Phase Two 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.
She noted that beneficiaries are expected to use the grant according to the business plans they developed during training, while receiving guidance from business development experts.
“The mentorship component ensures that these grants are used effectively, with guidance from business development experts and local entrepreneurs,” the PS added.
In addition to financial support, beneficiaries will take part in a two-month mentorship programme and a second phase of business development training, designed to help them transform their ideas into sustainable enterprises.
The government has also announced that Phase Three of the NYOTA Project, which will cover the remaining 16 counties including Mombasa, Kilifi, and Garissa, will be rolled out in due course, expanding opportunities for thousands more young entrepreneurs.
The post President Ruto to Launch Phase Two of NYOTA Project Covering 27 Counties appeared first on Bossnana.
