NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto is set to preside over the second phase of the NYOTA Project’s youth business grant disbursement, which will see close to 50,000 young entrepreneurs across 27 counties receive start-up capital beginning this week.
The rollout, scheduled to run from January 8 to January 16, 2026, targets beneficiaries who successfully completed mandatory business skills training under the NYOTA Project, a government programme aimed at expanding economic opportunities for vulnerable youth.
According to the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, each beneficiary will receive Sh22,000 deposited into a NYOTA Pochi la Biashara wallet, alongside an additional Sh3,000 channelled into an NSSF “Haba na Haba” savings account.
The initiative is part of a broader plan to empower over 100,000 youth across all 1,450 wards nationwide, with at least 70 beneficiaries per ward.
The second phase follows the first disbursement carried out in November 2025 in the Western Kenya cluster, where 12,155 beneficiaries in Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia and Bungoma counties received Sh25,000 each, amounting to Sh303.8 million in total funding.
In the current phase, counties set to benefit include Uasin Gishu, Nakuru, Narok, Nyeri, Meru, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Nairobi, Kiambu and Kajiado, among others.
President Ruto is expected to grace a series of regional disbursement and mentorship events in Eldoret, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Nyeri, Meru, Machakos and Nairobi during the exercise.
Beyond the cash grants, beneficiaries will undergo a two-month mentorship programme delivered by business development experts and local entrepreneurs to support market entry and business growth.
They will also receive additional business development training ahead of the release of a second tranche of funding.
The government has emphasised that all grants must be utilised strictly in line with approved business plans developed during the classroom training phase, with ongoing technical support provided.
Meanwhile, the State Department for MSMEs Development said the Phase Three disbursement schedule for 16 counties — including Mombasa, Kisumu, Kilifi, Garissa and Mandera — will be announced later.
