The Kenyan government, in partnership with the World Bank, is finalizing a new initiative aimed at supporting young mothers with a monthly stipend during pregnancy and until their children reach the age of three. This program, designed to ease the financial challenges faced by young mothers, will provide vital support to ensure they have the resources to meet their needs during this critical period.
Moses Kuria, Senior Economic Advisor to President William Ruto, announced the initiative, stating, “We have a special package for young mothers. Right from pregnancy up to three years, we will give them a stipend to survive. KES 1,000 will go to their NSSF savings.” In addition to the monthly stipend, the government will also contribute KES 1,000 per mother to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), encouraging long-term savings and financial security.
The support extends beyond young mothers, with the introduction of the NYOTA program, which targets Kenyan youth. Under this initiative, 100,000 young Kenyans will be offered grants of up to KES 50,000 to start their own businesses. The program is divided into two key components: enterprise and skills development. For the enterprise component, the youths will undergo psychosocial and skills training, after which they will receive the grant to launch their businesses and be linked to larger industries for subcontracting opportunities.
The skills development component will see another 100,000 youths provided with free training to enhance their employability, both locally and internationally. Of these slots, 20,000 will be allocated to refugees living in Kenya. Those who successfully complete the training and secure jobs will receive monthly payments, offering them an income while gaining hands-on experience.
Kuria emphasized the broader goals of these initiatives, explaining that they form part of the government’s efforts to address economic challenges and empower Kenya’s youth.
