Western governors to support NYOTA through complementary initiatives

Leaders say youths under the Nyota programme should be treated like those in special economic zones and given a 10-year tax holiday

by HILTON OTENYO

Western10 November 2025 - 09:30

In Summary

The first cohort of 11,550 beneficiaries comprising youths from Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma and Vihiga counties received Sh288 million
Each person received Sh25,000 in the first tranche and will receive a second tranche of similar amount to bring the start-up capital to Sh50,000

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Four county governments in Western have committed to support the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) programme launched by President William Ruto on Friday.

The first cohort of 11,550 beneficiaries, comprising youths from Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma and Vihiga counties received Sh288 million.

Each person received Sh25,000 in the first tranche and will receive a second tranche of similar amount to bring the start-up capital to Sh50,000.

This will bring the total disbursements to the four counties to Sh577 million.

Governors Paul Otuoma (Busia), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma) and Kakamega deputy governor Ayub Savula said the county governments will give the youth a two-year tax holiday.

Otuoma and Savula said county aggregation parks currently under construction in Busia and Kakamega counties will help beneficiaries access markets for their products and services.

Savula said Nyota beneficiaries from Kakamega will also be allocated kiosks free of charge.

He urged the youth to leverage on the county government's unconditional grants and loans offered by the department of trade to boost their businesses and create jobs.

"The Nyota programme is a game-changer for our youths, providing them with the necessary skills and resources to become job creators rather than job seekers," Savula said.

He said the county government will also complement the programme with social protection grants to youth and women groups.

Ottichilo said his administration will align its county empowerment funds with Nyota to benefit the youths more.

Kakamega county parliamentary caucus chairman and Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali said the two-year tax holiday was too short and suggested seven years.

Shinali said youths under the Nyota should be treated like those in special economic zones and given a 10-year tax holiday.

Co-operatives and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya said the ministry will work with the Council of Governors to develop adequate policies in counties to support youth empowerment.

“What has been said here by governors must be captured in policies if the youths have to reap full benefits of the programme. From today we’re making millionaires in this country,” he said.

“We will walk with the beneficiaries through the journey to succeed.”

The Nyota programme is set to disburse Sh5 billion to 110,000 youths, 70 from each of the 1,450 wards across the country.

It targets young men and women aged between 18 and 29 years and 35 for persons living with disability with form four and below level of education.

Co-operatives and MSMEs PS Susan Mang'eni said the programme presents opportunity to the youths to unleash their potential.

Youth Affairs PS Fikirini Jacobs said it’s the first time the government has come up with a programme to empower the vulnerable youths.

He said that the ministry is developing a youth mainstreaming policy.

“It’s the first time in history the government has created opportunities for the youth regardless of their level of education,” Jacobs said.