Ruto Announces Sh6,000 Monthly Allowance for 90,000 Youths in New Skills Drive as Government Expands Bottom-Up Agenda
President William Ruto has unveiled a new government-backed skills programme that will see 90,000 young Kenyans receive a Sh6,000 monthly stipend, as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and expand access to vocational training.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative, President Ruto said the programme targets youths who completed Class 8, Form Two or Form Four but were unable to proceed to college or acquire practical skills due to financial or structural barriers.
Under the plan, the government will fully sponsor short vocational courses in areas such as tailoring, cosmetics, plumbing and other hands-on trades, while also providing financial support to help participants meet basic expenses.
“We are looking for 90,000 young people who have finished Class Eight, Form Two and Form Four and have not managed to proceed, but have a plan to do a course looking for a skill,” President Ruto said.
He added: “There are those who want to do tailoring, cosmetics and plumbing, but they did not get the chance to go to college and do not have the skills. We are looking for 90,000 of them.”
According to the President, each participant will receive Sh6,000 every month to cater for transport and living costs during training, with the government also committing to cover examination fees after six months.
“We shall pay for the course they want, give them Sh6,000 every month to go home and back to school. We shall also pay their examination fee after six months and give them a certificate,” Ruto said.
He explained that the certificates will allow beneficiaries to enter the job market with both practical skills and formal recognition, significantly improving their employability.
The President stressed that the initiative forms part of his administration’s bottom-up economic model, which he said is designed to uplift Kenyans who have historically been left behind.
“When we said bottom-up is not a slogan, it is a plan,” Ruto said. “Those who have not gotten an opportunity to go to college but have skills deserve support from their government.”
Ruto further assured that the programme would be expanded if applications exceed the initial 90,000 slots.
“If there are more than 90,000, we shall still support them,” he said.
NYOTA Project rollout continues
The announcement comes as the President continues overseeing the rollout of the NYOTA Project, a government initiative aimed at supporting youth-led businesses across the country.
Under the programme, beneficiaries receive Sh25,000 to start or expand small businesses. Of this amount, Sh22,000 is deposited directly into the Pochi La Biashara account to fund business operations, while Sh3,000 is saved under the Haba Na Haba savings plan with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
NYOTA is funded through World Bank-backed grants and targets young people aged 18 to 29, with eligibility extended up to 35 years for persons with disabilities.
Successful applicants are entitled to Sh50,000 in total, though only half is disbursed initially to allow beneficiaries to kick-start their ventures, with further disbursements tied to progress and mentorship.
The latest phase of disbursement began on January 8 in Eldoret and is being rolled out across 27 counties, following a pilot phase in November 2025 that saw more than 12,000 youths in Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia and Bungoma counties receive start-up capital.
President Ruto has since toured Nakuru, Nanyuki, Nyeri and Machakos counties as part of the nationwide rollout, which the government says is aimed at boosting entrepreneurship, strengthening local markets and creating employment opportunities for young Kenyans.
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Ruto Announces Sh6,000 Monthly Allowance for 90,000 Youths in New Skills Drive as Government Expands Bottom-Up Agenda