MSMEs Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni has explained the delay in implementing business permit waivers for Nyota Fund beneficiaries, nearly two months after county governments announced them. She attributed it to the lack of a structured framework and beneficiary data per county. The ministry and all 47 counties are now initiating implementation plans.
Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni addressed the issue during a visit to Kirinyaga County on Wednesday, April 8. She noted that all county governments had promised waivers for young beneficiaries in their jurisdictions. “All over the country, county governments promised to give these young people waivers in their respective jurisdictions. It is not that they have not implemented. We are working out a framework of realizing that,” Mang’eni stated.
Starting Thursday, a team from Nairobi will share data on beneficiaries, particularly those who attended the mentorship program, confirming they have launched businesses. She explained that required licenses vary by business type, contributing to the delay. The ministry is developing a legal framework to sustain such support beyond the current administration.
Over 101,000 youths received KSh 25,000 each in the Nyota Fund’s first phase, costing more than KSh 2.5 billion. Many counties, including Nairobi, announced two-year waivers. Governor Johnson Sakaja said the move aims to encourage entrepreneurship, create jobs, and boost economic growth by allowing startups to establish before fees.
The government plans phase two disbursements of an additional KSh 25,000 per beneficiary starting in May, after completing the mentorship programme.