Senior officials in President William Ruto’s administration have defended the NYOTA Project, describing it as a transformative initiative aimed at empowering young Kenyans by putting money directly into their hands and accelerating the country’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Speaking in Machakos during the launch of the NYOTA Capital Disbursement Initiative in Machakos, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki stated that the program fulfills President Ruto’s campaign promise to ensure that citizens have money in their pockets.
“Our manifesto was clear that citizens must have money in their pockets. All the young people who have joined the NYOTA project are getting money in their pockets. This is the ‘pesa mfukoni’ President William Ruto promised during the election campaigns,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President reiterated that NYOTA is specifically tailored for small and micro enterprises, focusing on young people at the grassroots level rather than established businesses.
“This money is meant for small businesses, not large enterprises. We have other programmes for big businesses. NYOTA is for hustlers, for those who did not get the opportunity to pursue higher education,” he stated.
‘It’s Not Small Money’
Responding to critics who have downplayed the amount of money allocated to youth, Kindiki asserted that the funds are life-changing, especially for those operating at the grassroots level.
“For small businesses, receiving a Ksh. 50,000 grant through NYOTA is not a small matter. It only appears small to a wealthy person who does not understand the pain ordinary Kenyans go through at the grassroots,” he explained.
He described NYOTA as a practical implementation of the Bottom-Up model, which aims to elevate Kenya to developed-nation status within a generation.
“The NYOTA Project is part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda that will move Kenya forward until it becomes a First World economy within a generation, as the President has outlined,”he said.
Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya assured that the program is open, transparent, and merit-based, saying there is no favoritism or political connections for one to access the funds.
“President William Ruto ensured that this youth empowerment programme is open. That is why applications are done online. You do not need to know anyone or any leader to benefit from NYOTA,” Oparanya stated.
He added that the program builds on previous youth initiatives that were not widely known to the public.
“A programme like NYOTA existed before under the Kenya Youth Employment Opportunity Project, but very few Kenyans knew about it until President William Ruto took office,” he said.
“This programme is open to all. Young people across Kenya have equal chances. Those who do not benefit this year will get opportunities in the coming years to start and grow their businesses.” he explained.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua described NYOTA as a fundamental shift in governance philosophy.
“What we are witnessing is a paradigm shift. For too long, the ruling class enslaved our people with a culture of handouts. What President Ruto is offering young people is a hand-up program,” Mutua remarked.
Youth Affairs and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya praised the Ruto administration for its commitment to inclusive growth, placing youth at the center of national development.
“Under his leadership, President William Ruto has ensured that everyone is included in contributing to Kenya’s economic development,” Mvurya stated.
“Giving young people business capital ensures they contribute to their own economy, their community’s economy, and Kenya’s economy,” he added.
Mvurya described the initiative as part of Kenya’s long-term development journey.
“The President has organized young people in every sector to contribute to Kenya’s development. All young people are on a journey toward ‘Singapore,’ and this journey begins with them.”
