CS Ruku urges youth to invest NYOTA funds as gov't disburses Ksh.154M in Upper Eastern

Speaking at Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County during the disbursement of NYOTA Project funds to beneficiaries from Embu, Tharaka Nithi and Meru counties, Ruku announced that the government had allocated KSh154 million to support youth entrepreneurship across the three counties.

Of the allocation, Meru County received KSh81 million, Embu County KSh41 million and Tharaka Nithi County KSh32 million.

The Cabinet Secretary said the programme is a key government intervention aimed at tackling youth unemployment by providing young entrepreneurs with startup capital to establish and expand businesses.

He cautioned beneficiaries against diverting the funds to non-business activities, stressing that the money should be treated as investment capital rather than a handout.

"The funds are intended to help you start or grow businesses that will generate income, create employment and transform your lives. Invest them prudently and make them work for you," Ruku said.

He noted that responsible use of the grants would not only improve the beneficiaries' livelihoods but also contribute to economic growth by creating jobs and stimulating local enterprises.

Ruku reaffirmed the government's commitment to empowering young people through targeted financial support and policies that create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

He said the Kenya Kwanza administration remains focused on implementing programmes that expand economic opportunities for the youth and ensure development reaches all parts of the country.

The Cabinet Secretary urged beneficiaries to embrace financial discipline and proper planning, saying these were essential ingredients for building successful and sustainable businesses.

On the political front, Ruku said leaders from the Mt Kenya East region remain firmly behind Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, describing him as the region's political leader.

He said the region had resolved to remain united behind the Deputy President and would not be swayed by attempts to draw it into the opposition.

According to Ruku, Prof. Kindiki's position as Deputy President presents Mt Kenya East with a historic opportunity to strengthen its voice in national leadership and accelerate the region's socio-economic development.

He further argued that Mt Kenya East had for decades lagged behind other parts of the larger Mt Kenya region in terms of development, but said the government was addressing the imbalance through deliberate investments and empowerment programmes.

Ruku cited the NYOTA Project as one of the flagship initiatives aimed at equipping young people with the financial resources needed to establish businesses, create jobs and improve livelihoods across the Upper Eastern region.