Ruto Rolls Out Sh6,000 Monthly Stipend for Youths

President William Ruto has launched a national programme to provide vocational training and enterprise support to young Kenyans, with a focus on skills development and access to start-up capital.

The initiative will enrol 90,000 young people in short vocational courses in trades including tailoring, plumbing and cosmetics. The programme targets those who have completed basic education but have not progressed to further training. The government will cover tuition fees and provide each trainee with a monthly stipend of Sh6,000 to support transport and basic living costs. 

After six months, participants will sit state-funded examinations, and those who pass will receive certificates to improve their employment prospects. The President said the programme could be expanded if demand exceeds the initial intake.

Speaking at the launch, Ruto said the scheme reflects the government’s commitment to its bottom-up economic model. He said that the focus on practical skills is intended to create opportunities for young people who have struggled to access formal education or employment pathways. 

The programme, he added, is designed to deliver measurable outcomes rather than political slogans. Alongside the training initiative, the government is rolling out the NYOTA Project, which supports youth-led businesses through direct financial assistance. 

Eligible participants receive Sh25,000 at the initial stage, with Sh22,000 deposited into business accounts and Sh3,000 placed in savings with the National Social Security Fund. The project targets young people aged 18 to 29, and up to 35 for persons with disabilities. Beneficiaries are entitled to a total of Sh50,000, with the second half released later to encourage responsible investment and business continuity.

The NYOTA Project is funded by the World Bank and entered its second phase earlier this month in Eldoret. This phase includes mentorship forums to support beneficiaries in managing and growing their enterprises. The programme is being implemented in 27 counties, following a pilot phase in late 2025 that assisted more than 12,000 entrepreneurs in western Kenya.

President Ruto has visited several counties, including Nakuru, Nyeri and Machakos, to oversee the rollout and distribution of funds. The government says the combined focus on skills training and entrepreneurship is intended to address youth unemployment and strengthen local economic activity.