Bungoma: At least 7,000 beneficiaries of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) program across North Rift counties have received their second tranche of funds, amounting to Sh172 million. The youth from Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties received both the second and the first tranche disbursements of the Business Development Support (BDS) grants. Leaders present encouraged the beneficiaries to strategically market their ventures online to attract more customers and earn profits.
According to Kenya News Agency, the youth were urged to invest in viable, income-generating enterprises and to avoid non-essential consumption. Recipients are advised to adopt financial discipline, actively engage in business mentorship, and leverage additional government credit schemes for long-term success. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen presided over the disbursement ceremony at the Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County, revealing the Sh172 million disbursement through the NYOTA Programme for the counties.
The total beneficiaries from the three counties amounted to 6,914, with Uasin Gishu having 2,734 beneficiaries, followed by Nandi with 2,646, and Elgeyo Marakwet with 1,534. Out of the overall 6,914 beneficiaries, 4,693 have received the phase II amount of Sh22,000 plus an additional Sh3,000 for NSSF savings, while 2,221 received the first-time disbursement. A total of Sh172,850,000 has been disbursed across the three counties.
During the event, Murkomen encouraged the youth not to underestimate the power of humble beginnings, citing testimonies of success from first-phase beneficiaries. He expressed hope that these examples would inspire young business people to use government support prudently. The Interior CS was joined by several dignitaries, including Deputy Head of Public Service Amos Njoroge Gathecha and various Principal Secretaries.
Governor Wesley Rotich urged the youth to utilize digital platforms to market their businesses, emphasizing the importance of using online media for beneficial activities rather than for unproductive pursuits. Beneficiaries shared their success stories from the first phase, highlighting ventures like poultry farming, retail shops, and welding.
Edwin Kiplagat, a recipient of the phase I grant, shared his experience of investing in chicken farming, where he achieved a monthly profit of Sh5,000. Despite challenges like transportation and costly chicken feed, he plans to expand his business with the new funds.
Sharon Chebet, another beneficiary, transitioned from being a coffin broker to running her own coffin business. The NYOTA fund enabled her to establish a shop, and she now earns up to Sh70,000 in monthly profits. With the second phase funds, she aims to further expand her business.
The distribution event was part of a national rollout presided over by President Dr. William Ruto in Nairobi, with the government distributing Sh3.06 billion to 122,203 Kenyans under the NYOTA Phase II rollout.
