Ruto Unveils KSh 173 Million NYOTA Fund In Four Mt Kenya Counties

Kenya, 12 January 2026 - President William Ruto is on Monday launching the disbursement of KSh 173.2 million in start-up capital to thousands of small traders and young entrepreneurs across four Mt Kenya counties under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project.

The funds will be rolled out at a ceremony at the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Kabiru-ini Grounds in Nyeri Town Constituency, benefiting residents of Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga and Murang’a counties.

In the first phase of the programme, 6,982 applicants have been approved to receive KSh 25,000 each to help them establish or expand small businesses in their communities.

Of this amount, KSh 22,000 will be deposited directly into Pochi La Biashara to ensure the money is used strictly for business-related activities, while KSh 3,000 will be saved in each beneficiary’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) account to promote a savings culture and future financial security.

The NYOTA Project is a key pillar of the government’s economic empowerment strategy aimed at tackling unemployment and boosting grassroots enterprise by providing accessible and affordable capital to those locked out of traditional credit systems.