President William Ruto visited Kisumu on Monday, February 2, 2026, to launch the NYOTA Business Start-Up Capital Disbursement program, where he challenged the youth to reject “retrogressive politics” and ethnic-based manipulation.Â
The President released KSh 220 million in grants to 8,820 young entrepreneurs from Kisumu, Siaya, and Homa Bay counties.
Each beneficiary receives a total of KSh 50,000 in two phases. In the first phase, KSh 22,000 is credited directly to their Pochi la Biashara account for business operations, and KSh 3,000 is deposited into an NSSF savings account.
Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, Ruto urged the youth to move past the “tired mathematics of tribe” and shun leaders who use them for short-term political mobilization.
Ruto used the platform to defend his administration’s education reforms, claiming his government is fixing a system that was “broken and underfunded” by previous regimes.
The event saw rare unity as the President was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and received support from local leaders, including Dr. Oburu Oginga, who encouraged the youth to embrace the government’s economic model.
Beyond the NYOTA program, Ruto announced that the government would invest KSh 44 billion in Kisumu for markets, hostels, and affordable housing.
By Anthony Solly
