Over 800,000 youths to benefit from Sh20 billion Nyota project- Ruto
Ruto emphasised that it aims to support at least 70 youths per ward across the country by providing grant funding, business training, and market linkages. He said the government has committed Sh5 billion in grants to assist 100,000 young people, each receiving Sh50,000 in seed capital to start their entrepreneurial ventures by August this year.
Over 800,000 youths will benefit from a Sh20 billion government initiative, launched in partnership with the World Bank, to enhance employability through skills training, business support and job experience.
During the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations held at the Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay County on Sunday, President William Ruto unveiled the National Youth Opportunity Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, which is aimed at unlocking the potential of young people by equipping them with relevant skills and linking them to opportunities for self-reliance.
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He noted that the initiative targets over 800,000 youth aged 18 to 29 years, and up to 35 years for those with disabilities.
“It seeks to improve employability through skills training, on-the-job experience, recognition of prior learning, entrepreneurial development, and the promotion of a savings culture,” he said.
According to Ruto, the NYOTA Project leverages the Hustler Fund platform, which he said has already attracted over one million applicants for its business support component.
Ruto emphasised that it aims to support at least 70 youths per ward across the country by providing grant funding, business training, and market linkages. He said the government has committed Sh5 billion in grants to assist 100,000 young people, each receiving Sh50,000 in seed capital to start their entrepreneurial ventures by August this year.
The Hustler Fund, Ruto said, has supported over 25 million borrowers, disbursed Sh70 billion, and mobilised Sh4.5 billion in savings. He said the Fund has introduced a revolutionary credit rating system that is transforming access to finance for millions previously excluded from the formal financial system.
"The Hustler Fund credit rating system is designed to offer a fair and transparent assessment of creditworthiness. It serves as an alternative form of soft collateral for individuals at the base of our economy, the historically excluded majority who lack access to formal financial guarantees such as payslips, title deeds, or other traditional forms of collateral," Ruto said.
He added that over 4.5 million beneficiaries with strong credit scores have qualified for increased loan limits. Additionally, 400,000 of them are now eligible for loans of up to Sh150,000 without any other collateral except their credit score.
President Ruto also announced the nationwide rollout of Climate Worx, a programme designed to engage over 110,000 young people across all 47 counties in meaningful work that strengthens national resilience, starting with informal settlements.
Launched last year in Nairobi, Ruto said Climate Worx has recorded significant success and will now expand to the remaining counties.
The initiative, structured as a social protection programme, involves youths in delivering vital public services such as road construction, tree planting, and environmental sanitation improvements within their communities.
"Through Climate Worx, we are not just offering a paycheck for today; we are providing financial relief and a bridge to future opportunities, enabling young people to pursue their next steps, whether in launching a business, furthering their education, or stepping into long-term employment," the President said.
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