President William Ruto has announced an initiative that will see 100,000 young Kenyans receive Sh50,000 each in startup capital beginning next month in a push to tackle youth unemployment.

Ruto said the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to transform the economic landscape by empowering young people through targeted investments in enterprise, skills, and savings.

Ruto was speaking during the International Youth Day celebrations in Kakamega County on Tuesday.

“I am pleased to report that the first phase of 54,000 young people will receive their Sh50,000 startup capital next month. This will pave the way for their skills training to commence in the same month,” the President declared.

The beneficiaries, approximately 70 youth from each of the country’s wards, will be selected under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.

This is a government-backed, World Bank-funded initiative aimed at addressing youth unemployment, income insecurity, and limited savings.

To promote long-term financial stability and responsibility, the beneficiaries will also be enrolled in the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), enabling them to build personal savings while growing their businesses.

The Sh50,000 grants are just one element of the expansive Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation programme, a Sh20 billion initiative targeting 42,000 youth-led enterprises organised within 600 business clusters nationwide.

In addition to financial support, the programme will provide training, mentorship, and business infrastructure to help scale small enterprises and generate sustainable employment.

“Youth unemployment remains one of Kenya’s most urgent economic challenges,” Ruto said. “This programme is not just about funding—it is about transforming our young people into creators of jobs, not just seekers of employment.”

The initiative marks a shift in the government’s approach to youth empowerment, tying access to capital with skills development and social security enrolment to create a more sustainable model of economic inclusion.

With the first disbursements set for September 2025, thousands of youth-led ventures across the country are expected to benefit.