Kathiani MP Robert Mbui on Tuesday morning dismissed President William Ruto’s newly launched Nyota Fund as a “political show,” raising doubts about its intent and effectiveness.
He aired his criticism during an appearance on Citizen TV, challenging the government’s shift from its Hustler Fund policy.
Mbui said he remains unclear about the fate of the Hustler Fund, a flagship promise of the Ruto administration, contrasting it with the sudden spotlight on Nyota.
“When he was coming to power, he stated that he was coming up with a model that would get people out of poverty, but now he says we have Nyota Fund, which is better,” he said. He added that the regime “is just good at PR; they keep telling us good things, but when things go bad, they come up with new things.”
The Nyota Fund (National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement) is a youth empowerment initiative backed by the World Bank and the Kenyan government.
It is designed to provide grants, training, and support for entrepreneurship, with an initial plan to award KSh 50,000 to 70 young people in each of Kenya’s 1,450 wards.
Critics and analysts have flagged potential overlaps between Nyota and past programs. Some worry about duplication, the sustainability of funding, and clarity in implementation.
Beyond Mbui, voices across the political spectrum have expressed concerns. Some MPs have questioned the transparency of beneficiary selection, alleging favoritism and exclusion of local youth.
Former Roots Party deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae warned that the funds could be misused, for instance in KEG joints, if not appropriately monitored.
Kenya’s journey with government-led empowerment schemes has been fraught.
The Hustler Fund, launched in late 2022, was meant to give affordable loans and drive inclusion, but it faced criticisms over default rates and limited reach.
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