Western Kenya Governors Launch Two-Year Business Licence Waiver for NYOTA Project Beneficiaries
By Shadrack Mutai || Kass Digital
The County Governments of Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, and Bungoma have jointly declared a two-year waiver of business licences for all beneficiaries of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project across the Western region.
The initiative aims to reduce the cost of doing business for young entrepreneurs benefiting from the NYOTA programme, which provides a Ksh. 50,000 business grant to help them start and grow their enterprises.
A total of 12,155 beneficiaries from the Western Cluster began receiving their first tranche of Ksh. 25,000 today — amounting to Ksh. 267 million in disbursements.
The announcement was made during a fireside chat hosted by Hon. Susan Mangeni, Principal Secretary, State Department for MSME Development. In attendance were Governor Wilberforce Otichillo (Vihiga), Governor Paul Otuoma (Busia), Governor Kenneth Lusaka (Bungoma), and Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula.
The county leaders reaffirmed their support for the NYOTA Project and pledged additional interventions, including access to County Biashara Funds, allocation of county government stalls, and opportunities under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) framework.
Speaking during the session, President Dr. William Ruto emphasized that the project’s fully digital and transparent model demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring equal access to opportunity.
He reiterated his pledge to complete the 100,000-kilometre digital superhighway and establish digital hubs in every constituency, expanding connectivity and opportunities for young people nationwide.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development, Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, lauded the NYOTA initiative as a transformative wave of entrepreneurship reshaping Kenya’s economic landscape.
He urged continued collaboration between county and national governments to unlock the full potential of Kenyan youth.
The event was also attended by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi; Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Salim Mvurya; principal secretaries, elected leaders, and project implementation partners.
