President William Ruto has officially disbursed Sh708.8 million to over 14,000 youth in a colorful ceremony at the Kasarani Sports Centre, marking a critical milestone in his administration’s signature "Bottom-Up" economic agenda. The funds, channeled through the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, are designed to turn unemployed youth into micro-entrepreneurs.

Addressing a stadium packed with cheering youth from Nairobi, Kajiado, and Kiambu counties, the President framed the disbursement not as a handout, but as "seed capital for the builders of tomorrow." The initiative, backed by the World Bank, targets vulnerable young people aged 18-29 who have been locked out of the formal economy.

The Money Breakdown

The disbursement structure is strictly controlled to ensure sustainability. Each of the 14,176 beneficiaries receives a total package of Sh50,000, released in tranches to encourage financial discipline.

• Phase One: Beneficiaries receive an initial Sh25,000. Out of this, Sh22,000 is for business operations, while Sh3,000 is automatically deducted and deposited into a "Haba na Haba" savings account with the NSSF.
• Phase Two: Upon successful utilization of the first tranche, a second disbursement of Sh25,000 follows. This model aims to foster a savings culture while providing liquidity for business growth.
• The Scope: "We are reaching 70 to 80 young people in every ward across Kenya," Ruto stated. "This is what we meant by ensuring the national cake reaches the grassroots. No one is too small to matter."

Economic Lifeline or Political Tool?

The NYOTA programme comes at a time when youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb. By injecting nearly three-quarters of a billion shillings directly into the pockets of young entrepreneurs, the government hopes to stimulate local economies and quell growing frustration over the cost of living.

"With this money, I can finally stock my kinyozi (barbershop) properly," said James Kamau, a 24-year-old beneficiary from Roysambu. "We have heard promises before, but today the money is in the phone." As the President left the stadium to the tune of "Sipangwingwi," the challenge now shifts to the beneficiaries: to turn this seed capital into sustainable livelihoods in a harsh economic climate.