William Ruto sharpened his message to critics on Tuesday in Garissa, saying the opposition offers “no solutions” for young people and the country. Speaking at Garissa High School for the launch of the Nyota program’s latest phase, he said the initiative will fund youth businesses and that he will personally track delivery. Local outlets reported 2,520 beneficiaries and KSh63 million disbursed at the event.
What the Nyota program promises
Nyota targets youth employment and enterprise support. It combines short training, a start-up grant and a savings component, with mobile-money disbursement for speed. Officials and coverage from Garissa indicated KSh25,000 as the initial ticket for each beneficiary at this stage. The project draws on government funding and implementation partners; prior program updates also point to staged roll-outs across counties.
Key term: ASAL means Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, areas that face recurrent drought and food stress in Kenya. Policymakers use the label to prioritise relief and resilience programs.
Politics enters the frame
Ruto challenged opposition leaders to table concrete youth plans and not just criticism. He framed Nyota as a hands-on presidential priority and argued that past schemes lacked structure and impact. Reporting from Garissa captured this tougher tone and quoted him as pledging not to delegate key youth tasks.
Drought debate: Kindiki vs. Gachagua
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki pushed back against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who had faulted the government’s drought response and spending priorities in ASAL counties. Kindiki said relief operations are ongoing and warned against “politicising” drought, urging leaders to support targeted interventions instead. His remarks came during the same Garissa tour.
Why Garissa matters now
Garissa sits at the heart of Kenya’s north-east and hosts the Dadaab Refugee Complex. Authorities and local media highlighted that Nyota’s scale-up in the county aims to reach vulnerable communities, including host areas around Dadaab. The Standard reported broader targets discussed for Garissa, alongside the list of senior officials present.
Numbers and oversight
Coverage from the event pointed to 2,520 youth and KSh63 million in grants disbursed on 11 February 2026 at Garissa High School. Officials also flagged larger envelopes for the county as the program expands. These figures will need tracking against future budget releases and implementation reports to verify pace and impact.
The stakes for Kenya’s youth
Kenya faces tight job markets and high youth underemployment. The government argues that small grants plus training can unlock micro-enterprise at scale; critics call for more transparency and deeper structural reforms. For now, Garissa offers a live test: can targeted cash, training and follow-up create durable livelihoods in ASAL settings without sliding into campaign politics? Upcoming disbursement data and independent audits will show whether Nyota meets its promise.
