Government rolls out second phase of NYOTA youth business grants across 27 counties
Government rolls out second phase of NYOTA youth business grants across 27 counties
The government has announced the rollout of the second phase of the NYOTA Project’s business start-up capital disbursement, targeting 27 counties across Kenya.
The programme, designed to empower youth, will run from January 8 to January 16, 2026, with disbursement and mentorship events scheduled across key counties and presided over by President William Ruto.
In an announcement by the Ministry of Cooperatives on Tuesday, the government announced that approximately 50,000 beneficiaries will receive Ksh22,000 deposited into their NYOTA mobile wallets, with an additional Ksh3,000 allocated to their NSSF savings account.
The disbursement schedule will begin with Eldoret on January 8 for Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Trans-Nzoia, Turkana, and West Pokot counties.
Nakuru will host events on January 9 and 12 for Nakuru, Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Baringo, Laikipia, Isiolo, and Samburu counties. President William Ruto is expected to grace these events.
Nyeri and Meru counties will receive support on January 14 and 15, while Machakos County is scheduled for January 15. Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kajiado counties will conclude the second phase on January 16.
All beneficiaries of the business grant will participate in a two-month mentorship programme led by business development experts and local entrepreneurs.
Looming mass layoffs as government announces plans to shut down over 300 companies
Jirongo’s death was an accident, no foul play — DCI concludes
Audit flags Jomo Kenyatta Foundation instability, threatening 14,000 scholarships
Man breaks into US Vice President JD Vance’s home
The program aims to support over 100,000 vulnerable youth in all 1,450 wards in Kenya, with at least 70 beneficiaries per ward. The initiative provides business training, start-up capital, and mentorship to equip young people with the tools to launch and sustain small businesses.
According to the State Department for MSMEs Development, the nationwide classroom-based business expertise training component of the programme has already been completed, preparing beneficiaries to effectively use the grants.
The first phase of the business start-up capital was rolled out on November 7, 2025, covering the Western Cluster of Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, and Bungoma counties.
A total of 12,155 beneficiaries received Ksh25,000 each, with Ksh3,000 allocated to savings, bringing the total first tranche disbursement to Ksh303,875,000.
Meanwhile, the programme also includes a second phase of business development training, which equips participants with expertise needed for subsequent tranches of the business grant.
The government has indicated that the third phase of disbursement, targeting 16 additional counties, including Kilifi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Migori, and Mandera, will be announced in due course.
Al-Shabaab militants destroy Safaricom mast in Lamu
10 students injured after school bus accident along Nairobi-Nakuru Highway
CS Joho to lead Raila Odinga birthday commemoration
Follow us
