Sharon Chebet: I used NYOTA fund to buy coffins
By Valerian Khakayi, July 10, 2026A beneficiary of the first phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme has shared how the government initiative helped her start a coffin business and rebuild her life after dropping out of school due to early marriage.
Speaking during the launch of the second tranche of the NYOTA programme at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County, presided over by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, on Friday, July 10, 2026, Sharon Chebet said the Ksh25,000 grant she received enabled her to fully venture into the coffin business, which has since grown into a stable source of income.
Coffin business owner
According to Chebet, she worked as a broker before benefiting from the NYOTA Fund but earned very little. She combined the Ksh25,000 grant with her savings to buy five coffins, which marked the beginning of her coffin-selling business.
“Kwa majina naitwa Sharon Chebet, mimi ni muuzaji jeneza katika County ya Uasin Gishu,” Chebet said.
“Mwanzo nilikuwa broker nikapata pesa kidogo, na pesa yenye raisi wetu William Ruto alitupea ya Nyota Ksh 25,000 nikaongeza kwa ile pesa niliuwa nayo kidogo nikanunu jeneza tano nikaanza nayo hiyo kazi ya kuuza jeneza.“
Chebet said she sold several of the coffins and has since opened her own coffin shop, describing the business as life-changing.
“Niliuza kadha na saa hivi niko na duka yangu binafsi ya kuuza jeneza,” she added.
Benefits from the business
She also revealed that financial stability from the business has enabled her to return to school after previously dropping out because of an early marriage.
“Hii biashara inanisaidia, nilikuwa nimewacha shule juu ya ndoa nilikuwa nimeenda early marriage lakini sahi niko shule nikama raisi amenirudisha shule,” she added.
Chebet expressed optimism that the additional Ksh25,000 support under the second tranche of the programme would help her expand her business further.
She explained that she had already received an order for a larger coffin but lacked sufficient capital to fulfil it.
“Hii Ksh 25,000 yenye itakuja nataka niongeze niko na order nimepigiwa ya sanduku next week, sasa wanataka sanduku kubwa na sikuwa na hiyo pesa so hii itanisaidia kuongezea pesa ni nunue hiyo sanduku kubwa ,” Chebet stated.
Why coffin business
Reflecting on her journey, Chebet said the hardships she endured in her marriage made her resilient, which is why she is not afraid of running a coffin business despite many people shying away from it.
“Mimi nilipitia magumu katika ndoa sahi mimi naye ni mgumu,” she added.