Ruto Announces NYOTA Verification and Disbursement Dates of Ksh 50K to 100,000 Youth Countrywide

President William Ruto has announced new verification and disbursement dates for the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project.

This follows an earlier postponement of the exercise which had been scheduled for Friday October 17 after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the Presidential Proclamation issued by the President announcing a period of 7-day national mourning.

While speaking during the Mashujaa Day celebration at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui County on Monday, October 20, Ruto stated that the government initiative, funded by the World Bank, will see 100,000 young people each receive Ksh 50,000 to support their entrepreneurial and empowerment projects across the country.

Verification Exercise to be Conducted on October 24

Ruto noted that the nationwide verification exercise across 290 constituencies will be carried out on Friday, October 24, to identify the beneficiaries who will receive the funds to grow their businesses.

“We are looking for 100,000 youth who will each be awarded Ksh 50,000 to enhance their businesses,” Ruto said.

“On Friday, October 24, in every constituency, we will verify youth who have businesses so that we can fund them to boost their enterprises, enabling them to contribute to Kenya’s growth and help eradicate poverty,” he added.

Also Read: Government Reopens Applications for NYOTA Programme; How to Apply

Ruto Announces Disbursement Dates of Ksh 50K to 100,000 Youth

At the same time, the Head of State revealed that the disbursement of funds will begin on November 4 this year, after the completion of the exercise and identification of successful youth.

“In the next two weeks, we will start disbursing the money to the youth who will have been identified on November 4, so that we can run the programme and see how many young people can benefit from it,” he added.

This development follows President Ruto’s earlier directive to all Principal Secretaries (PSs) to spearhead grassroots engagement in the rollout of the NYOTA programme.

In a statement issued after a meeting with PSs on Friday, October 3, the Head of State announced that the secretaries would be dispatched across the country to ensure smooth coordination of the project.

“On Monday, October 6, 2025, all the Principal Secretaries will be in the 47 counties to meet governors, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), and chiefs to sensitise leaders and youth on the programme and align its implementation at the grassroots,” he stated.

President Ruto emphasised that the success of the NYOTA project depends on the involvement of leaders at all levels of governance, adding that inclusivity would be the cornerstone of its rollout.

“By involving leaders from the Executive, Legislature, and county governments, the process will be transparent and inclusive, ensuring that every young person has a fair chance to benefit,” he added.

The government had earlier reopened applications for Phase Two of the NYOTA project, with the registration window running from October 6 to October 12.

Also Read: How World Bank-Funded Project Birthed NYOTA Program, Promising Ksh 50K for Jobless Kenyans

About the Project

The NYOTA program aims to empower 800,000 vulnerable youths aged 18 to 29 across all 47 counties by establishing 110,000 youth-led enterprises and certifying 20,000 artisans through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative.

It also aims to skill and connect 90,000 youths to employment, while training 600,000 on financial literacy and access to government procurement opportunities.

Through Component 2, implemented by the State Department for MSME Development via the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), the project will provide entrepreneurship training, business development services, and phased start-up capital to 70 youth in every ward.

After classroom training, each youth will undergo two months of mentorship and incubation support, followed by staged seed money, with continued guidance from business development experts to foster their enterprise growth.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.