Over 400 young entrepreneurs in Kamukunji get Nyota support to grow businesses

More than 400 youths from the five wards of Kamukunji Constituency have started a week-long training programme on how to start and run small businesses after receiving financial support from the National Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) project.

The training kicked off on Wednesday at Eastleigh High School, bringing together beneficiaries from across the constituency for the first session.

The youths, drawn from both formal and informal settlements, including Kiambiu, Mugunda, and Majengo, are part of a group selected for business support funds. The Nyota programme is designed to help young people generate income through small enterprises and strengthen existing ventures.

Lead trainer in Kamukunji Constituency, Vincent Munuve, said the programme equips participants with practical business skills and personal development tools needed to manage and grow their ventures.

Self-discovery

“We are helping them start their business ideas, those in business and want to scale up their businesses,” Munuve said. “We are also helping them self-discover in terms of emotional intelligence, the personalities that they need to have and recognise them. They have to help them in their businesses.”

Munuve explained that participants include both beginners hoping to launch new ventures and individuals who already operate small businesses and want to improve their operations. He added that persons with disabilities, visually impaired participants, and others who are differently enabled are also included in the training.

The programme, which will run for the next four days, covers topics such as business planning, financial management, marketing, customer relations, and personal development.

Among the trainees is Cynthia Njambi from Mugunda in Eastleigh South Ward. Encouraged by a friend, she applied for the funding and plans to use it to buy equipment for content creation.

“I am a YouTuber,” she said. “I applied so that after receiving the money, I can buy a camera to continue making content.”

Formal training

Njambi believes formal training will help her manage her work better and expand her online presence.

Another participant, Nancy Thuo from Kiambiu, said the first day of training was useful and provided practical knowledge she hopes to apply to her online shop. Thuo sells products through social media platforms and small-scale digital marketplaces and plans to use the funds to promote her business.

“We really need to market so that we can get more customers. I am really grateful for the lessons we have been taught since morning. It has been very productive,” she said.

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• Kamukunji Constituency
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• business skills
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• National Opportunities Towards Advancement
• young entrepreneurs
• Over 400 young entrepreneurs in Kamukunji get Nyota support to grow businesses
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Thuo added that she hopes to increase her visibility, attract more customers, and establish a stable brand for her products.

Sharing ideas

From Majengo, Pumwani Ward, Ibrahim Hamisi, who runs a small restaurant, said he plans to use the Nyota funds to improve his services. He explained that meeting other young entrepreneurs during the training has allowed him to share ideas with people pursuing similar business goals.

“The training has helped me meet like-minded people who are eager to start a business or run the ones they have,” Hamisi said. “We have mingled while exchanging ideas.”

Another participant, Asha Boru from Eastleigh North, joined the training to learn how to use the funds responsibly. She plans to start a boutique and wants to understand how to manage money and prepare a basic business plan.

“I want to get knowledge on how to start a business with this money. I want to start a boutique,” she said.

Support youth entrepreneurship

The Nyota programme in Kamukunji Constituency aims to support youth entrepreneurship, especially for those facing challenges in accessing capital, business skills, and market opportunities.

Many beneficiaries come from areas with limited income-generating prospects, and the programme seeks to bridge these gaps by providing startup funds and training.

As the sessions continue, trainers will guide the youth through practical steps needed to implement their ideas, manage risks, and sustain their businesses.

Participants will also receive follow-up support to track progress and identify challenges after the training.

Programme leaders hope the initiative will lead to stronger youth-led enterprises, more stable income sources, and increased participation of young people in the local economy.