BY MANUEL ODENY

President William Ruto has challenged young people to make use of Nyota funds and other government empowerment funds to spur their entrepreneuriship journey.

The president said Kenya was keen on improving lives of youths and youth empowerment remains key to to his administration and a means of pushing the economic growth.

He pointed out that his administration has initiated several programmes, including the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA), to help young entrepreneurs start or expand their businesses.

He was speaking on Thursday at Gusii Stadium in Kisii town, when he presided over the disbursement of the NYOTA Business Start-Up Capital for young entrepreneurs from Kisii, Nyamira and Migori counties.

“Young people who are yet to benefit from this programme should apply for other components because we want to help as many people as possible through NYOTA, which is part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda that we promised Kenyans,” Ruto explained.

He added that investing in skills training, education, and entrepreneurship reduces unemployment.

A total of 8,820 young businesspeople from the three counties received KSh220.5M of NYOTA Start-Up Capital.

In the first phase, each beneficiary will receive KSh25,000, out of which KSh22,000 was sent directly to their mobile money accounts, while KSh3,000 would be deposited into the Haba na Haba savings accounts at the National Social Security Fund.

“Youth empowerment remains a priority area for the government because you are our country’s biggest resource. This is why we are implementing programmes in affordable housing, NYOTA, Kazi Majuu and the digital hubs to create jobs for young people,” he said.

He said the government has decisively moved from words to action, translating promise into reality and giving practical expression to our commitment to empower the youth.

“Our approach goes beyond the provision of capital. We are creating sustainable and steady pathways to employment and entrepreneurship through targeted interventions in labour mobility, the digital and creative economy, and the Affordable Housing Programme,” he pointed out.

The President was emphatic that the government would not stop until every Kenyan youth gets an opportunity to unlock, develop, and realise their full potential.

He also called upon the youth to refuse to be misused by politicians and thoroughly interrogate all those aspiring for elective office.

“Some naysayers have been criticising the NYOTA programme, yet they have no mission, agenda or alternative plan to transform the lives of our young people,” President Ruto noted.

He went on: “We are going to shame them because the reality of our programmes is taking shape.”

On development projects in Kisii County, President Ruto said KSh33 billion has been allocated for affordable housing, college and university student hostels and modern markets.

The President explained that 10,000 affordable housing units, 20 modern markets and hostels to accommodate 7,800 students are earmarked for the county.

He also announced that KSh7 billion will be used to build and improve roads in Kisii.

“As we promised, we are initiating development projects across the country in an effort to take inclusive transformation to all parts of Kenya,” President Ruto pointed out.

Additionally, he explained that the expansion of Gusii Stadium, at a cost of KSh770 million, has been delayed because the Agricultural Society of Kenya offices are to be moved to pave way for the stadium.

“We will provide the funds for relocation of ASK offices. The expansion of the stadium should be completed before December this year,” he said.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said young people have, for long, been misused by politicians as hecklers, goons and bloggers to push their agenda.

He, however, explained that this will change as the government has rolled out initiatives that enable young people to engage in meaningful work.

 “Our youths should now take advantage of the NYOTA programme, among other initiatives, and reject those who want to use them as agents of chaos and division,” Prof Kindiki said.

Kisii Governor Simba Arati pointed out that ODM will continue to work with UDA, saying the Orange party picked a good team to work in the broad-based government.

He told off critics of the broad-based government, noting that they have no alternative agenda like NYOTA for the country.

“I am the second in command, the deputy party leader in ODM. Let it be clear that we are going to work with President William Ruto in the broad-based government. Those making noise in Nairobi can continue,” Governor Arati said.

Cabinet Secretaries Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMES), Salim Mvurya (Sports and Youth Affairs), and Migosi Ogamba (Education), National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed, and many MPs attended the function.

Later, the President laid a foundation stone for Nyambera Modern Market in Kisii town.