STATE HOUSE, Nairobi, August 9 –President William Ruto today distributed tools, equipment, and funds to 1,100 youth and women business groups drawn from across Nairobi County.
Dubbed Every Hustle Matters, they hugely benefited from an assortment of goods and items such as tents, chairs, carwash stations, public address systems, catering equipment, and motorbikes during an empowerment forum held at State House today.
The jovial Kanairo Bizna youths also received tailoring machines, pool tables, large format printers, street photography equipment, industrial ovens, salon and barbershop kits, among others.
Dr Ruto affirmed his administration’s commitment to uplifting the less fortunate in the society by creating building blocks for a more transformed, inclusive and equal Kenya.
“We won’t stop as we are keen on supporting hundreds of thousands of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country,” he said while announcing that 70 young people in each of 1,450 Wards will receive Sh50,000 each from next month across the country.
This, he pointed out, will assist them to start and scale up their business in a joint programme between the Government and the World Bank.
Nairobi Governor Sakaja Johnson pledged his unwavering support in backing President Ruto’s quest to boost grassroots businesses and create a conducive environment for sustainable growth.
“The government’s commitment to uplifting small-scale entrepreneurs is essential, and the era of sidelining ‘small hustles’ is over. The small hustlers are here to be supported to start and grow their businesses. From this empowerment, we will inspire more youths to step out of joblessness,” he said at the House on the Hill.
To achieve these efforts, Sakaja said they’re currently assisting MSMEs through the allocation of designated spaces for city hawkers to operate in an orderly manner, and they have also employed 4,000 Green Army personnel.
Aligning with BETA, the empowerment program is geared towards offering business training, access to capital, and networking for mama mbogas, jua kali artisans, and start-ups across Nairobi.
The Head of State was accompanied by a host of Parliamentarians, including Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris, Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands), Tom Kajwang (Ruaraka), George Aladwa (Makadara), Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, and Members of County Assembly (MCAs), among others.
