The government has confirmed plans to roll out the second phase of start-up capital disbursement under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, with 27 counties earmarked to benefit in this round.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 6, by the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, officials said the disbursement will run from Thursday, January 8, 2026, to Friday, January 16, 2026. Only beneficiaries who have successfully completed the compulsory three-day business skills training will qualify for the funds.
Counties included in the second phase are Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, West Pokot, Nakuru, Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Baringo, Laikipia, Isiolo, Samburu, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kajiado.
The government indicated that nearly 50,000 young people will benefit, with each receiving KSh 22,000 deposited directly into their NYOTA Pochi la Biashara e-wallet. An additional KSh 3,000 will be channelled into a Haba na Haba savings account managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), making the savings component mandatory.
President William Ruto is expected to attend the disbursement and mentorship sessions at various locations across the country.
According to the programme timetable, Eldoret will host beneficiaries from Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, and West Pokot on January 8. Nakuru will follow on January 9 for participants from Nakuru, Narok, Bomet, Kericho, and Baringo counties. On January 12, Nanyuki will cater for Laikipia, Isiolo, and Samburu, while Nyeri will host beneficiaries from Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, and Nyandarua. Meru will serve Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu on January 14, Machakos will host Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni on January 15, and Nairobi will conclude the phase on January 16 for Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kajiado counties.
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Beyond the cash grants, all beneficiaries will undergo a two-month mentorship programme led by business development specialists and local entrepreneurs. The initiative aims to help young entrepreneurs integrate into local business networks and markets with practical guidance.
The statement further noted that beneficiaries will also participate in a second round of Business Development Support training, which is intended to prepare them for the release of the next tranche of funding.
Government officials emphasised that recipients are required to use the grants strictly in line with their approved business plans developed during the classroom-based training, under the supervision of business development experts.
Details regarding the third phase of disbursement, which will cover 16 counties including Kilifi, Lamu, Tana River, Mombasa, Kwale, Taita Taveta, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Nyamira, Kisii, Marsabit, Garissa, Mandera, and Wajir, will be communicated at a later date.
The second phase follows the initial disbursement carried out in November 2025, which targeted the Western region counties of Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, and Bungoma. During that phase, 12,155 youths received a total of KSh 303,875,000, with each beneficiary accessing KSh 25,000, including a KSh 3,000 savings allocation.
The NYOTA Project’s Business Support Component seeks to empower more than 100,000 vulnerable young people across all 1,450 wards nationwide, ensuring at least 70 beneficiaries per ward.
Launched by President Ruto in November 2025, the project received approval from the World Bank in June 2023. It has an overall budget of USD 200 million, with a committed financing amount of USD 229 million.
