You have made us proud: Ruto praises youths during Nyota Phase 2 launch
By Valerian Khakayi, July 10, 2026President William Ruto has praised young Kenyans for making the country proud through their hard work and enterprise after benefiting from the first phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.
Speaking during the launch of NYOTA Phase 2 at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi County on Friday, July 9, 2026, Ruto said the beneficiaries had demonstrated that even modest financial support, when combined with determination and dedication, could transform businesses, farming ventures and other income-generating activities.
“Najivunia vijana wa Nyota; hawajatuangusha, hawajatuaibisha. They have made us proud,” Ruto said.
The Head of State also congratulated all the youths who received the initial Ksh25,000 seed capital, saying they had proved critics wrong by putting the money to productive use.
“Wale vijana wote waliopata nafasi ya kwanza ya kupatiwa Ksh25,000, mimi nawapa kongole. Congratulations, you have made us proud,” he added.
Ruto to Nyota fund critics
Ruto noted that some people had dismissed the Ksh25,000 grant as too little to make a meaningful difference, but the beneficiaries had shown that commitment and resilience could turn a small investment into thriving businesses, farming projects and other ventures.
“Wale ambao hawakuwaamini, waliwaambia hiyo pesa ni kidogo; waliwaambia hiyo pesa haifai. Nyinyi, kupitia kwa bidii yenu na kujitolea kwenu, mumetuweka madaha sisi leo tunawafurahia kwa sababu hamukuona pesa ile ni kidogo; muliamini pamoja na bidii yenu mnaweza kubadilisha biashara zenu, kilimo, na ile hustle mtu anafuatilia,” Ruto stated.
NYOTA Tranche II
The remarks came during the launch of the second phase of the NYOTA programme, under which the government has committed Ksh3 billion to support about 122,000 young entrepreneurs across the country.
According to Ruto, the investment is aimed at strengthening youth-led businesses, creating employment opportunities and expanding entrepreneurship among young Kenyans. He described the programme as one of the largest coordinated investments in young entrepreneurs ever undertaken in the country.
“We are going to spend close to 3 billion Kenyan shillings across Kenya to fund more than 122,000 young entrepreneurs,” the president said.
The president emphasised that investing in youth entrepreneurship is an investment in Kenya’s long-term economic future.