Youth Enterprise Development Fund

Also known as: YEDF

Fund that has disbursed Sh15.27 billion in loans to over 1.3 million youth for business startup and expansion.

2026-06-292026-11-04

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Youth Enterprise Development Fund

Every mention in the Kenyan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

October 2026
1 OctThe Standard
… on remains a barrier for small-scale traders seeking affordable financing,” he said.The programme is expected to be rolled out across all counties, bringing together agencies including the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), Uwezo Fund, Youth Enterprise Development Fund …
Government rolls out nationwide support drive for small businesses
September 2026
24 SeptThe Standard
… He said that the Policy guidelines include: Kenya Vision 2030 Blueprint and the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV), Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA); Youth Enterprise Development Fund Legal Order No. …
Mvurya says Sh15.27 billion disbursed through Youth Enterprise Development Fund
23 SeptThe Standard
… He also pointed to the Youth Enterprise Development Fund framework, National Youth Council Act, East Africa Youth Policy and African Youth Charter as instruments supporting youth empowerment. …
Sports CS Mvurya: Youth, creatives and athletes face financial challenges
19 SeptCitizen Digital
… He cited programmes such as the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Ajira Digital Programme and employment opportunities under the Affordable Housing Programme. …
'We're on your radar!' Murkomen warns drug cartels financing goonism
16 SeptCitizen Digital
… He cited youth empowerment programmes targeting unemployment and economic vulnerability as measures to tame the vice, including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Ajira Digital Programme and employment opportunities under the Affordable Housing Programme. …
1,189 people jailed over goonism-related offences in four years - CS Murkomen
July 2026
11 JulCitizen Digital
… He also instructed state backed financing institutions, including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Uwezo Fund, the Women Enterprise Fund and other relevant agencies, to develop a dedicated NYOTA Growth Product to provide follow on financing for businesses that outgrow t …
Waiguru waives levy for NYOTA beneficiaries, boosts fund to Ksh.60,000
10 JulCitizen Digital
… He also instructed state-backed financing institutions, including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Uwezo Fund, the Women Enterprise Fund and other relevant agencies, to develop a dedicated NYOTA Growth Product to provide follow-on financing for businesses that outgrow t …
Ruto adopts TV-style reporting as Cabinet activated in nationwide NYOTA launch
10 JulCitizen Digital
… He also instructed state-backed financing institutions, including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Uwezo Fund, the Women Enterprise Fund and other relevant agencies, to develop a dedicated NYOTA Growth Product to provide follow-on financing for businesses that outgrow t …
President Ruto orders two-year business permit waiver for NYOTA beneficiaries
10 JulCapital News
… The government also directed state-backed financial institutions, including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund and the Women Enterprise Fund, to develop financing products that will support businesses graduating from the NYOTA programme and seeking expansion capital. …
Over 122,000 Youth to Benefit as Govt Disburses Sh3bn Under NYOTA
10 JulThe Standard
… national NYOTA identification mechanism to enable beneficiaries seamlessly access government services, incentives and opportunities aimed at supporting enterprise growth.The President also directed government financing institutions, including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund …
Ruto orders two-year business permit waiver for NYOTA beneficiaries

Business

Government launches nationwide support drive for small businesses

The News

The government has launched a nationwide initiative, coordinated across more than a dozen agencies, to expand access to finance, skills and markets for millions of small businesses. The drive, which brings together 15 sector experts to guide entrepreneurs, aims to address information gaps and help small-scale traders access available financing and market opportunities across all counties.

1 October 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 1 October

Government launches nationwide support drive for small businesses
The government has launched a nationwide initiative, coordinated across more than a dozen agencies, to expand access to finance, skills and markets for millions of small businesses. The drive, which brings together 15 sector experts to guide entrepreneurs, aims to address information gaps and help small-scale traders access available financing and market opportunities across all counties.
1 October 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 24 September

Youth Enterprise Development Fund disbursed Sh15.27 billion since inception
Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya told the Senate that approximately Sh15.27 billion has been disbursed as loans under the Youth Enterprise Fund, with over 1.3 million youth accessing financial support to start and expand businesses, facilitating the creation of over 2.18 million jobs.
24 September 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 23 September

Sports CS Mvurya highlights financial and mental health challenges for youth in sports, creative sectors
Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya told the Senate that young people in Kenya's creative and sports industries face financial insecurity, intense public scrutiny, limited career opportunities, mental health pressures and post-retirement uncertainty. The Government has outlined measures including mental health support for creatives, improved athlete welfare programmes, and stronger youth empowerment initiatives.
23 September 2026 · The Standard →

Saturday 19 September

Murkomen warns drug cartels financing political violence
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned drug cartels that proceeds from illicit alcohol and narcotics used to finance political violence are being targeted by security agencies. The government has strengthened the Anti-Narcotics Unit and is cracking down on manufacturers, suppliers, and financiers of illicit drugs and alcohol.
19 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 16 September

CS Murkomen: 1,189 jailed for goonism offences in four years
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told the Senate that 1,189 people have been jailed for goonism-related offences over the past four years, comprising 1,053 men and 136 women. He cited the figure as evidence that police are taking action against individuals breaking the law.
16 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 11 July

Waiguru waives NYOTA levy, tops up beneficiary funds to Sh60,000
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has removed a levy charged to youth under the NYOTA programme and announced the county government will add Sh10,000 to the second phase disbursement, bringing total support to Sh60,000 per beneficiary for business development.
11 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 10 July

Ruto directs Cabinet nationwide for NYOTA youth funds launch
President William Ruto coordinated the second tranche of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) funds programme using a newsroom-style format, directing his Cabinet and senior officials from Ulinzi Complex in Nairobi as they reported on fund disbursements across Kenya.
10 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ruto orders two-year business permit waiver for NYOTA beneficiaries
President William Ruto has directed a two-year business permit waiver for all beneficiaries of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme to reduce bureaucratic barriers and costs for young entrepreneurs.
10 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Government releases Sh3bn to 122,000 youth under NYOTA phase two
The government has released more than Sh3 billion under the second phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme to support over 122,000 young entrepreneurs. The initiative includes a two-year waiver on county business permit fees for all beneficiaries.
10 July 2026 · Capital News →
Ruto orders two-year business permit waiver for NYOTA beneficiaries
President William Ruto has directed the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council and county governments to implement a two-year business permit waiver for all beneficiaries of the NYOTA Project, intended to give young entrepreneurs time to establish and grow their businesses without licensing fees. He also instructed the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development to establish a national NYOTA identification mechanism and directed government financing institutions to develop dedicated financial products to support beneficiaries as their businesses expand.
10 July 2026 · The Standard →
State disburses Sh154m NYOTA grants across three counties
Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has called on beneficiaries of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project to invest grants wisely, as the government disburses Sh154m in the second phase to youth from Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru counties. The programme aims to tackle youth unemployment by providing startup capital for young entrepreneurs.
10 July 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 9 July

Government disburses second NYOTA grant tranche to 122,000 youths
The Government will disburse the second tranche of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) business start-up capital grant on Friday, with 122,000 young people aged 18–29 receiving KSh25,000 each across 18 nationwide venues. Combined with an earlier disbursement of KSh25,000, each beneficiary will have received a total of KSh50,000 in business support grants.
9 July 2026 · Capital News →

Monday 29 June

Kenya's youth-led start-ups fail at high rates despite innovation hub status
Kenya has a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and is recognized as an African innovation hub, yet thousands of youth-led businesses fail within their first few years as the country faces high unemployment and many young entrepreneurs struggle to sustain their ventures.
29 June 2026 · Capital News →