President William Ruto takes a selfie with one of the youths during the disbursement of the Nyota Funds in Machakos on January 15, 2026. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva
President William Ruto has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to using technology to deliver government services efficiently, transparently and free from corruption, saying digitisation has significantly reduced favouritism and bribery in public programmes.
Speaking in Machakos during the launch of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) business start-up capital disbursement, the President said the government has digitised 23,000 services, a sharp rise from just 320 in 2023. He noted that the move has greatly reduced direct interaction between citizens and officials, cutting opportunities for corruption.
“For far too long, many Kenyans have been locked out of government programmes because of favouritism and bribery,” President Ruto said. “Digital systems ensure fairness, transparency and equal opportunity for all.”
He cited the NYOTA programme as a clear example of how technology is transforming access to government support. According to the President, the entire NYOTA process — from application to selection of beneficiaries — is conducted online, eliminating brokers, middlemen and political influence.
“To make sure every young person has an equal chance, no one was recommended by anyone. Everyone applied online, and beneficiaries were selected purely on merit,” he said.
During the event at Kenyatta Stadium, the President presided over the disbursement of Sh147.5 million to 5,901 youth from Machakos, Kitui and Makueni counties. The funds are expected to help young people start businesses, create jobs and take control of their economic future.
President Ruto said the NYOTA programme is anchored on the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and is being implemented at the ward level, the lowest unit of devolution. Each of the country’s 1,450 wards, he said, benefits between 70 and 80 young people.
He further emphasised that the programme does not require academic qualifications, noting that lack of formal education should not deny any Kenyan an opportunity to improve their livelihood.
The President urged politicians critical of NYOTA to keep off the programme, describing it as a major boost for young entrepreneurs. He also appealed to the youth to reject political incitement and focus on education, jobs and economic empowerment.
Highlighting economic gains under his administration, President Ruto said inflation has dropped from 9.6 per cent in 2022 to 4.5 per cent, foreign exchange reserves have risen to a historic high of $12.3 billion, and the shilling has strengthened from Sh165 to Sh129 against the dollar. Kenya, he added, is now ranked the sixth-largest economy in Africa.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the NYOTA grants will uplift young entrepreneurs at the bottom of the economic pyramid, while Cabinet Secretaries Alfred Mutua, Salim Mvurya and Wycliffe Oparanya praised the programme for its transparency, inclusivity and focus on sustainable empowerment rather than handouts.
