- Over 9 million Kenyans with unpaid Hustler Fund loans to miss out on NYOTA programme.
- NYOTA aims to create 100,000 youth-led enterprises with World Bank support.
- Each ward to have at least 70 young people receiving Ksh50,000 grants.
- Government officials insist only those with clean repayment records will qualify.
- Hustler Fund defaulters owe the state Ksh5 billion.
At least nine million Kenyans who failed to repay their Hustler Fund loans will not benefit from the newly launched National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.
The government says the NYOTA initiative, created in partnership with the World Bank, is meant to empower the youth through grants and business support but only for those who cleared their past government loans.
According to the Ministry of Youth Affairs, the project aims to create 100,000 youth-led businesses across the country.
Under the plan, up to 70 young people in each of Kenya’s 1,450 wards will receive grants worth Ksh50,000 each to either start or expand their small enterprises.
Principal Secretaries from different ministries were dispatched on Monday to various counties to raise awareness about the programme and encourage eligible youth to apply.
Speaking in Kajiado County, Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho stated that applicants would undergo a strict verification process before receiving funding.
“They are going to go through a long process of verification, which will start by applying. Those who have some debts with Hustler Fund may not qualify,” said Kimotho.
His sentiments were echoed by Social Protection PS Joseph Motari during a separate event in Migori County.
“You were not able to repay because you went away with money. Please clear your Hustler Fund; you have to be in good standing,” Motari warned.
The Hustler Fund, launched in 2022 shortly after President William Ruto took office, was introduced to provide affordable loans to small traders and low-income earners.
However, the fund has faced major repayment challenges. On September 12, Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Susan Mang’eni revealed that defaulters owe the state Ksh5 billion.
She also noted that individuals who persistently fail to repay will be barred from other government programmes, including the Social Health Authority’s “Lipa Pole Pole” plan.
The NYOTA initiative now marks a new chapter in Kenya’s youth empowerment drive. The government says it will place greater emphasis on financial discipline, responsibility, and transparency to ensure that public funds benefit serious and accountable young entrepreneurs.
