PS Kimotho Backs Youth Enterprise as Kenya Rolls Out Nyota Funds

The Government has continued to deepen its commitment to inclusive economic growth by placing young people at the centre of national development initiatives. This was evident at Kasarani in Nairobi, where Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho joined His Excellency President Dr. William Samoei Ruto and Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki during the Nyota Start-Up Capital Disbursement Programme for beneficiaries from Nairobi, Kajiado and Kiambu counties. The event brought together senior government leaders, county representatives and thousands of young entrepreneurs whose ambitions reflect a new phase of grassroots enterprise development.

While the Nyota Programme is broad in scope, its objectives speak directly to the future of productive sectors such as agriculture and irrigation, where youth participation remains essential for sustainability, innovation and growth. For the State Department for Irrigation, youth enterprise development is not a parallel agenda but a complementary pillar that supports food security, water stewardship and rural livelihoods.

Nyota Programme as a Platform for Inclusive Growth

The Nyota Programme targets young people who may not have formal academic qualifications but demonstrate strong entrepreneurial drive and readiness to build viable enterprises. Under the programme, 70 youths per ward across the country will receive start-up capital, with each beneficiary allocated KSh 50,000. Of this amount, KSh 6,000 is directed to savings, while KSh 44,000 is invested directly into business activities. The funds are disbursed in phases to promote discipline, accountability and gradual growth.

At Kasarani, the scale of the programme was clear. Thousands of beneficiaries from Nairobi, Kajiado and Kiambu gathered to receive support that is designed not as a handout, but as a structured entry point into self-employment and enterprise development. The phased approach reinforces the principle that sustainable livelihoods are built through consistent effort, learning and responsible financial management.

Mentorship and Accountability at the Core

Ahead of the main event, Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho engaged directly with young entrepreneurs from Kajiado County during a mentorship session. The interaction focused on the practical realities of starting and sustaining a business, with emphasis on discipline, accountability and structured guidance. These conversations were not abstract. They addressed the need for young people to treat enterprise funds as seed capital that must grow, rather than short-term income.

This message aligns closely with the experience of irrigation and agricultural projects across the country. In farmer-led irrigation schemes, success often depends on the same principles of discipline, record keeping and collective responsibility. By reinforcing these values among youth entrepreneurs, the Government is laying a foundation that supports both enterprise development and future participation in productive sectors such as irrigated agriculture, agro-processing and water services.

Linking Youth Enterprise to Irrigation and Agriculture

For the State Department for Irrigation, programmes like Nyota have direct relevance to the irrigation ecosystem. Many small enterprises supported through Nyota are expected to operate along agricultural value chains, including input supply, produce aggregation, transport, processing and marketing. Others will focus on services that support irrigation systems, such as water distribution, equipment maintenance, solar pumping solutions and small-scale agri-services.

As irrigation expands across the country, particularly through community-based and smallholder schemes, opportunities for youth-led enterprises will continue to grow. The availability of start-up capital, combined with mentorship and market linkages, positions young people to participate meaningfully in irrigation-driven local economies. This integration ensures that irrigation investments translate into broader socio-economic benefits beyond farm production.

National and County Collaboration in Action

A notable feature of the Nyota Programme launch was the strong demonstration of intergovernmental collaboration. Governors from Nairobi, Kajiado and Kiambu Counties committed to providing two-year waivers on county-related fees, licences and permits for all 14,000 Nyota beneficiaries from the three counties. This decision significantly lowers the cost of entry into formal enterprise and allows young entrepreneurs to stabilise their businesses during the critical early stages.

For irrigation-related enterprises, such waivers are particularly important. Small agri-businesses often struggle with compliance costs that can limit growth. Reducing these barriers supports the development of enterprises that provide essential services to irrigation schemes and farming communities.

Complementary Interventions Strengthening Impact

The Nyota Programme is supported by a range of complementary government interventions designed to expand employment pathways and strengthen enterprise sustainability. These include access to affordable financing through the Hustler Fund, continuous mentorship and skills development, and linkage to broader employment opportunities.

In addition, the Government is expanding labour export programmes coordinated by the National Employment Authority and digital job opportunities supported by the ICT Authority. The construction of digital hubs in every ward is expected to enhance access to online markets, training and innovation. For irrigation and agriculture, digital tools are increasingly important for market information, weather data, water management and financial services.

Irrigation as a Foundation for Youth Employment

Kenya’s irrigation agenda is fundamentally about creating stable and productive livelihoods. As irrigation schemes expand, they generate demand for labour, services and entrepreneurship across rural and peri-urban areas. Youth involvement is critical to sustaining this growth, particularly as older farming populations gradually exit production.

By engaging in national youth programmes such as Nyota, the State Department for Irrigation reinforces the link between water investment and employment creation. Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho’s participation in the Kasarani event highlighted the importance of aligning youth empowerment initiatives with sectoral priorities, ensuring that enterprise development supports long-term national goals.

Discipline and Sustainability as Shared Values

The emphasis on discipline and accountability that featured prominently during the mentorship session reflects a broader policy direction within the irrigation sector. Successful irrigation schemes depend on effective governance, cost recovery and responsible resource management. These same principles apply to small enterprises seeking to grow and remain competitive.

By promoting savings, phased financing and mentorship, the Nyota Programme mirrors approaches used in irrigation water user associations and cooperatives. This consistency across programmes strengthens institutional culture and reinforces behaviours that support sustainability.

Building Dignified Livelihoods

The Nyota Programme represents a deliberate effort to promote dignity in work and self-employment. By empowering young people to build enterprises based on their skills and ideas, the programme reduces dependence on casual labour and creates pathways for upward mobility.

For communities engaged in irrigation and agriculture, dignified livelihoods are essential for social stability and resilience. When young people see viable opportunities within local economies, they are more likely to invest their energy and creativity in productive activities that benefit their communities.

A Broader Vision for Inclusive Development

The presence of national leadership at the Kasarani event underscored the importance of youth enterprise development within Kenya’s broader economic transformation agenda. By integrating financial support, mentorship, county collaboration and sectoral alignment, the Nyota Programme reflects a comprehensive approach to development.

For Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho, the event reinforced the value of cross-sector engagement. Irrigation does not operate in isolation. Its success depends on vibrant local economies, skilled entrepreneurs and supportive policy environments. Youth programmes such as Nyota contribute directly to this ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

As Nyota beneficiaries begin to invest their capital and grow their enterprises, the real measure of success will be sustainability. Continued mentorship, access to markets and alignment with sectoral opportunities will determine long-term outcomes.

The State Department for Irrigation remains committed to ensuring that irrigation expansion creates space for youth participation across value chains. By linking water, agriculture and enterprise development, the Government is building an integrated framework that supports food security, employment and inclusive growth.

The Kasarani event was therefore more than a disbursement ceremony. It was a statement of intent. By empowering young entrepreneurs and connecting them to national development priorities, including irrigation and agriculture, the Government is investing in a future where growth is shared, livelihoods are resilient and opportunity reaches every corner of the country.

Article by Victor Patience Oyuko. To support the blog Mpesa 0708883777