Ruto slams opposition over criticism of youth empowerment programme

President William Ruto has slammed the opposition for opposing the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, through which the government is disbursing funds to youth across the country to start up small businesses.

Speaking in Samburu County on Tuesday, the President accused the opposition of misusing the youth and undermining their potential.

The President and his deputy, Kithure Kindiki, had pitched tent in Samburu County, where youth from Marsabit, Isiolo, Laikipia and Samburu counties gathered to receive the NYOTA funds.

“Kama hamna kitu ya kupangia hawa vijana, wachana kuwachochea. Hawa vijana wanataka kujua biashara watafanya aje na watatoa wapi msaada,” said Ruto.

Kindiki added, “We are not going to allow leaders to destroy the future of our young people.”

The President further accused the opposition of misusing the youth, dismissing them as clueless individuals with no ability to resolve the youth unemployment menace.

“Wanasiasa na viongozi ni maneno tu ya kupiga kura. Uchaguzi na kupiga kura ni siku moja lakini maisha na biashara ni kila siku! Na baada ya uchaguzi lazima vijana wafanye kazi, lazima vijana wafanye biashara,” Ruto stated.

“Hii ndio ile bottom-up Rais Ruto alituambia kwa campaign. Mtu mwenye hana ata one shilling for business sasa anapata hadi Ksh.50,000 start-up capital to start a business,” his deputy added.

The beneficiaries, who had earlier attended training on how to manage resources, were urged to use the funds for the intended purpose.

“Wakati tuliwaita training, tulihakikisha unafika venue, ndiyo maana, Rais, tulikuwa tunawapatia mpaka fare, na wale wako na watoto tuliwatafutia caregivers,” Principal Secretary for State Department of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Susan Auma Mang'eni, said.

“We cannot improve our economy if we exclude the youth who form the largest percentage in our population,” Youth Affairs and Creative Economy PS Fikirini Jacobs added.

President Ruto and his deputy later toured Rumuruti in Laikipia County to lay a foundation stone for the Rumuruti market.

The disbursement of funds to youth through the NYOTA programme continues on Thursday in Machakos County.