NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has defended his frequent attendance at activities linked to the government’s NYOTA Business Start-Up Capital programme, saying engaging directly with young people is a deliberate investment in the country’s future.
Speaking Tuesday during a joint parliamentary group meeting bringing together lawmakers from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the president responded to critics who questioned his schedule and participation in youth funding events.
“Many people were trying to give me small lectures. What is the President doing? Going to give out checks to young people,” Ruto said.
“I told them, this is how I choose to spend my time. You decide about yours.”
‘Time well spent with young people.’
The president said interacting directly with young entrepreneurs is central to his administration’s vision for inclusive economic growth.
“Because I believe the young people of this country deserve my time and time spent with those young people, talking to them, is time well spent, as far as I’m concerned,” he said.
Ruto noted that personal engagement allows the government to understand the challenges facing youth and ensures that empowerment programmes remain effective.
Plans to expand the NYOTA programme
“I have asked the deputy president and the ministry concerned to look at opportunities, and we are discussing with our partners to expand that programme,” he said.
The initiative, supported by the World Bank, is designed to provide start-up capital and entrepreneurship support to young people across the country.
Thousands of beneficiaries
According to the government, the programme has already benefited more than 120,000 young entrepreneurs, who have collectively received Sh5 billion in funding.
Beneficiaries undergo business training before receiving the capital and are also provided with mentorship to help ensure the sustainability of their enterprises.
The programme forms part of the administration’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda, which prioritises support for small businesses and grassroots economic empowerment.
Skills and job training component
Ruto also revealed that additional components of the NYOTA initiative will soon be rolled out nationwide.
Among them is the On-the-Job Experience programme, under which 90,000 young people will be attached to master craftsmen for a six-month apprenticeship.
The training aims to equip youth with practical skills while creating pathways into employment and entrepreneurship.
Ruto dismissed opposition claims that the initiative is a political campaign tool, insisting that the programme is designed to empower young people and expand their participation in Kenya’s economy.