President Ruto Launches NYOTA Programme, Disbursing Sh126 Million to Youth - February 2026

President William Ruto is scheduled to launch the NYOTA project in Malindi, overseeing the disbursement of funds to beneficiaries in Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu Counties. He oversaw the disbursement of Sh126 million to 5,040 young entrepreneurs under the NYOTA Programme's Business Start-Up Capital component. This initial support provides Sh25,000 per beneficiary, with Sh22,000 designated for business and Sh3,000 for NSGF savings. Amid criticism from opposition leaders, the World Bank has publicly defended Kenya's National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) programme. The global lender asserts its support for the initiative as an "innovative, inclusive and transparent way to deal with unemployment among the youth" in Kenya.