President William Ruto on Friday held a live virtual link with Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya in Mombasa as the government simultaneously rolled out the second phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Business Support Programme across the country.
The virtual engagement, believed to be the first of its kind during a government fund disbursement exercise, allowed the President to monitor the rollout in real time and receive updates from Mvurya as beneficiaries in Mombasa received their grants.
"Naskia kule Mombasa... wacha tuwasikie kama watu wa Mombasa wamepata pesa zao. Salim Mvurya, I can see you. Please tell us, how is Mombasa?" Ruto said as he initiated the live link.
"Yes, Your Excellency," Mvurya responded before briefing the President on the exercise.
The programme was launched simultaneously at 18 venues across the country, with the government disbursing Sh3 billion to 122,000 young entrepreneurs under the second tranche of the initiative.
Addressing beneficiaries during the live link, Ruto urged young people to use the funds as business capital rather than for personal consumption.
"The money we are giving you is not for consumption. It is capital to help you establish businesses, create jobs and improve your livelihoods," the President said.
He noted that all beneficiaries had completed business development training before qualifying for the second disbursement, equipping them with the skills needed to invest the funds prudently.
"Use this opportunity wisely. We want to see successful businesses that will uplift families and strengthen our economy," Ruto added.
Turning back to Mombasa, the President sought confirmation that the funds had reached the intended beneficiaries.
"Salim Mvurya, tell us how things are in Mombasa. Have the residents of Mombasa received the money or not?" he asked.
Mvurya assured the President that the disbursement was proceeding smoothly and transparently, adding that all beneficiaries had undergone the mandatory entrepreneurship training before receiving the grants.
Each beneficiary received Sh25,000 in the second disbursement, bringing the total support under the programme to Sh50,000 following an earlier allocation released this year.
The NYOTA Programme, jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank, combines business grants with entrepreneurship training, skills development, certification of prior learning and employment opportunities aimed at improving youth livelihoods.
Ruto said the initiative reflects the government's commitment to empowering young people through entrepreneurship.
"We are investing in our youth because they are the future of this country. Through NYOTA, we are giving them the tools to succeed and become employers instead of job seekers," he said.
