By Suleiman Mbatiah
The County Government of Nakuru will waive all business license and permit fees for National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) beneficiaries in their first year of operation to ease the cost of doing business.
Governor Susan Kihika said the move will allow youths entrepreneurs from the region to set up income-generating ventures without regulatory costs, helping them maximize profits in the early stages.
She spoke during the launch of the NYOTA programme by President William Ruto at the Nakuru ASK Showground, where 9,847 youths from Nakuru, Baringo, Narok, Bomet and Kericho counties were unveiled as beneficiaries.
The World Bank-funded programme targets vulnerable youth aged between 18 and 29 years, and up to 35 years for persons with disabilities. It supports apprenticeships, skills certification under Recognition of Prior Learning, and business grants.
Under the first phase, Sh245.6 million will be disbursed to the 9,847 beneficiaries. Each will receive Sh25,000 as start-up capital.
Of this amount, Sh22,000 will be sent to Pochi La Biashara to support immediate business operations. The remaining Sh3,000 will be deposited into Haba Na Haba savings accounts under the National Social Security Fund to promote savings.
“In addition to waiving business permits and licences, we will allocate space to those who want to operate from the Ziwani Wholesale Market in Bondeni,” Ms Kihika said. She cautioned beneficiaries against misusing the funds.
The county has also set up a Sh100 million Wezesha Fund to provide low-interest loans to entrepreneurs.
So far, Sh19.2 million has been disbursed to 98 groups. Another Sh9.1 million will be released soon under the County Enterprise Fund.
An additional Sh47 million has been loaned to SACCOs through the County Cooperative Development Revolving Fund. The county is also finalizing the operationalization of a Sh30 million Boda Boda Fund.
To strengthen skills development, Nakuru County has expanded its vocational training centers from 33 to 41. The county offers a capitation of Sh30,000 per learner.
The Governor urged NYOTA beneficiaries to enroll in the centers to build skills and grow their enterprises.
President William Ruto said the government is engaging development partners on a possible second phase of the NYOTA business component.
He encouraged youth with technical skills to take advantage of the Recognition of Prior Learning program to obtain formal certification. The certification, he said, will open doors to local and international employment through the Labor Export Program.
Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said the NYOTA program complements other government initiatives, including the Hustler Fund, Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund and support through Kenya Industrial Estates.