By John Kamau
A wave of optimism is sweeping through the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in Kiambu County as local entrepreneurs voice their support for the government’s NYOTA program, which they believe will be a game-changer for youth-led businesses.
The program — National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) — is a government initiative funded by the World Bank aimed at enhancing youth employment, boosting income, and promoting savings.
It targets vulnerable youth between the ages of 18 to 29, and up to 35 for persons with disabilities, across all 47 counties in Kenya.
Young business owners in sectors such as butchery, carpentry, welding, and boda boda transport have welcomed the initiative, expressing hope that it will help them expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Speaking from their respective business premises, several entrepreneurs praised the government’s commitment to economic empowerment through the Sh50,000 financial grant.
They said the support would not only help upscale their businesses but also inject much-needed cash flow into the local economy.
“This program is timely. With the rising cost of materials and tools, this boost will allow us to increase productivity, take on more jobs, and possibly hire more workers,” said Alice Nyambura who hawks watermelons.
However, the entrepreneurs also called on the government to expand the number of beneficiaries under the program.
Currently, only 70 businesses per ward are set to benefit, which many feel may leave out deserving applicants.
“While we are grateful, we urge the government to consider increasing the number of beneficiaries per ward. The demand is overwhelming and many youths are eager to grow their businesses,” noted Patrick Onyango, a bodaboda operator.
They also called on the government to ensure there is transparency in the distribution of funds and fairness in the selection process so that only deserving applicants benefit from the initiative.
“If the process is transparent, then the funds will truly serve their purpose and uplift genuine businesses,” noted Samuel Githae, a butcher in Limuru, Kiambu County.
Launched with the aim of enhancing youth empowerment, NYOTA seeks to increase employment, earnings, and financial savings among Kenya’s vulnerable youth population.
According to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the Sh 28 billion program aligns with national efforts to combat unemployment and promote inclusive economic growth.
“This money will go into growing small businesses such as salons, butcheries, barber shops among others. The money will help increase job opportunities and grow our economy,” Kindiki said recently during an economic empowerment tour in Gatundu, Kiambu County.
The DP spoke at Limuru Dairy in Limuru, Kiambu County. He reiterated that the Government is supporting milk farmers to increase yield and get better incomes as part of the Bottom up Economic Transformation Agenda.
Limuru Dairy which was struggling a year ago due to inability to keep its fresh milk on the shelves for long is now producing 32,000 litres of long life UHT milk, as a result of 172 million shillings support of the National Government enabling the factory to acquire an ultra modern long life UHT milk and yoghurt processing plant for sale within Kenya and the East African regional market.
Legislators who have been participating in the empowerment programmes have defended it saying that it is designed to transform income generating activities by ‘hustlers’ at the grassroot levels.
