President William Ruto today visited Kisii High School to preside over the release of the Nyota Start-Up Fund, a government initiative to assist the youth and small-scale enterprises in Kisii, Nyamira and Migikenda counties.
The ceremony took place at the Gusii stadium and was attended by the county officials, local leaders and members of the communities interested in attending the event so as to see the launch.The Nyota Start-Up Fund is under the wider economic empowerment program of the national government that aims at offering financial assistance to the young people, women and ground breaking business owners.
Under this initiative, the beneficiaries get seed capital to start new businesses or grow the existing ones and this creates a employment opportunity and enhances the growth of an economy in the local area.In his address at the occasion, President Ruto urged people not to overlook the role played by entrepreneurship in transforming the economy in Kenya.
His beneficiaries were advised to use the money wisely and work on ensuring that what they get will have lasting benefits by developing sustainable businesses that will make jobs and are willing to help the community.
According to the President, it is not only about giving money but also about empowering the youths, tapping into their potential, and making them active participants towards economic growth in the country.The project aims at numerous industries, and they are agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and services. The government is trying to achieve this by funding its activities in order to alleviate unemployment especially to the youth and to improve innovation and entrepreneurship in the marginalized communities.
The leaders of the counties present praised the initiative and referred to it as an essential step to dealing with youth unemployment and contributing to the sustainable economic growth at the grassroots.People of counties of Kisii, Nyamira and Migori are optimistic about the program because they have gotten used to the fact that access to funding has been a key obstacle to business initiations.
According to many of the beneficiaries, Nyota Start-Up Fund provides them with the opportunity to transform their ideas into positive and working business opportunities, which will enhance their lives and help their families.It was capped by the formal presentation of funds to some of the chosen entrepreneurs and some of the projects that are already in operation in the region were demonstrated.
The introduction of the Nyota Start-Up Fund in Kisii highlights how the government views the inclusion in economic growth and how it wants to empower the people of Kenya in the coming generation of entrepreneurs.
