Thousands of youth from Kiambu Subcounty turned up at Ndumberi Stadium for the ongoing Nyota Programme validation exercise, each hoping to secure a spot among the beneficiaries of the government-funded initiative.
Kiambu Subcounty comprises four wards — Riabai, Kiambu Township, Ting’ang’a, and Ndumberi — all of which recorded large turnouts for the exercise.
According to earlier reports, only 70 youths under the age of 29 will benefit from the fund in each ward, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 280 across the subcounty. All eyes are now on the panel tasked with selecting the successful applicants who will receive the startup grants.
Sources indicate that each beneficiary will receive Ksh 50,000 as a grant to help launch small businesses or projects of their choice.
Speaking to Kiambu Observer, Fridah Jepkemboi from Ting’ang’a Ward said she arrived early after receiving a message to verify her details. She expressed optimism that the process would lead to tangible results.
“I came here to check on my details as requested, and we are urging those in charge of this exercise to make it a reality by releasing the funds. Delays will only make the youth lose hope,” she said.
Fridah, whose husband gained attention during the 2022 campaigns after knitting President William Ruto’s shirt in UDA party colours, narrated how their fortunes changed soon after the election.
“The President gave my husband Ksh 200,000 to start a knitting business and buy his own machines. He bought two new machines, and his work was going well until, after two weeks, unknown people — maybe out of business rivalry or jealousy — burnt down our premises. We were left with nothing, and no one has helped us since. That is why I desperately need this Nyota startup grant,” she said, her voice filled with hopeful certainty.
Local chiefs from the four locations conducted the validation exercise smoothly under the supervision of the Ting’ang’a Assistant County Commissioner and the Office of Kiambu MP Machua Waithaka, ensuring that all those who turned up were attended to.
