President William Ruto has cautioned leaders against politicising government programmes aimed at transforming the lives of Kenyans.
The President faulted those criticising the government’s National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme for disbursing Sh50,000, an amount they say is little.
He noted that those opposing the programme have no better alternatives, nor have they done anything to empower the youth in the many years they have served in government.
He reminded them not to despise humble beginnings.
“If you think Sh50,000 is little money, it is little to you and your family because you are rich. With Sh50,000 you can begin a business,” he said.
The President spoke during the launch of the disbursement of Sh173.2 million NYOTA business start-up capital to 6,982 young entrepreneurs from Nyeri, Murang’a, Nyandarua and Kirinyaga counties at Kabiru in ASK Grounds.
He was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Governors Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri) and Kiarie Badilisha (Nyandarua), Cabinet Secretaries Salim Mvurya (Sports) and Alice Wahome (Lands), National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, among other leaders.
The President explained that the NYOTA programme is part of the wider plan by the government to expand opportunities for the youth.
The President said the NYOTA programme targets 820,000 young people in four key pillars: business support, recognition of prior learning, training and mentorship, and savings.
Other programmes he mentioned include the Affordable Housing Programme, jobs abroad and digital jobs that are giving young people real pathways to opportunity and enterprise.
He said the Affordable Housing Programme has created over 500,000 job opportunities for the youth.
On jobs abroad, the President said 500,000 young people have secured jobs, increasing diaspora remittances by $1 billion (Sh130 billion) in the past two years.
The President also said the government is revamping the country’s digital infrastructure.
He said 30,000km of fibre optic cable have already been laid, with a target of 100,000km in the next few years.
He said this will enable one million young people to work in the digital economy. Already, 300,000 are earning livelihoods in the digital space today.
The goal, President Ruto explained, is to position young people at the centre of the country’s national agenda and tap into their energy, skills, knowledge and expertise to drive the country’s transformation.
He said the government has taken deliberate action not only to strengthen the country’s education system, but also to create opportunities for the youth.
He pointed out that Kenya’s young, educated and skilled human capital is the most important asset the country possesses.
“We must get value for the Sh700 billion we spend on education by making sure that the young people completing school, college and university are placed in areas where they can contribute to the progress of our nation,” he said.
He added that the government has hired 100,000 teachers and built 23,000 classrooms and 1,600 laboratories across the country.
The President also said the government has provided the funding required for the promotion of 25,000 teachers to enhance their careers.
“Education is the single biggest empowerment we can give to the young people of our nation,” he said.
The President appealed to the youth to take advantage of the opportunities created by the government.
Later, President Ruto opened a tuition block at PCEA Nyamachaki Comprehensive School in Nyeri Town. He said the government will provide another Sh20 million to the school for the expansion of facilities to accommodate more learners.
At the Marua Interchange in Nyeri, he inspected the ongoing construction of the 84km Kenol-Sagana-Marua road.
“In Nyeri County, more than eight major roads are being upgraded this financial year at a cost of Sh4 billion,” he said.
He said the government will also build a dual carriageway from the Marua Interchange to Nyeri Town and extend it to Chaka trading centre in Kieni Constituency.
He also commissioned the Karatina Marigiti Modern Market and launched the construction of the Karatina Affordable Housing Project.
Deputy President Kindiki told young people to invest the business capital support wisely, noting that how finances are invested matters more than the amount invested.
“It is possible to start small and grow big,” he said.
The DP said the government is keen on investing in and supporting young people differently, noting that not all youth are gifted in the same way.
Mr Mvurya said the NYOTA programme is targeting young entrepreneurs to uplift their hustles to become employers.
He said the programme has been implemented in an open and accountable manner devoid of human interference.
Mr Ichung’wah said the government is empowering the youth to be the next generation of business leaders, industrialists and captains of industry, who will take Kenya to a first world economy.
“Let me encourage young people. As you conduct your businesses, please save. We have been told by economists that investments are a function of savings,” he added.
