Speaking to a local television station on Friday, January 16, Omondi questioned both the timing and intent of the youth empowerment initiative, arguing that it lacks long-term impact and appears geared more toward political mileage than genuine economic transformation.
“We are clearly entering a campaign season, and what young people need now are consistent and sustainable solutions,” Omondi said.
“NYOTA is nothing more than a campaign tool for the President and his administration. Kenya Kwanza took office in 2022. Where was this programme then? This is about 2027.”
The outspoken entertainer, who has in recent years positioned himself as a vocal advocate for unemployed and struggling youth, criticised the government’s approach of issuing small cash disbursements instead of addressing structural economic challenges.
According to Omondi, the amounts reportedly being issued under the NYOTA programme—ranging between Ksh22,000 and Ksh25,000 per beneficiary—are insufficient to establish meaningful enterprises and only serve short-term survival needs.
“If you give a young person Ksh22,000 today, it will go to rent, school fees, food, or transport. Others will spend it on alcohol because people are desperate,” he said.
The outspoken entertainer, who has in recent years positioned himself as a vocal advocate for unemployed and struggling youth, criticised the government’s approach of issuing small cash disbursements instead of addressing structural economic challenges.
According to Omondi, the amounts reportedly being issued under the NYOTA programme—ranging between Ksh22,000 and Ksh25,000 per beneficiary—are insufficient to establish meaningful enterprises and only serve short-term survival needs.
“If you give a young person Ksh22,000 today, it will go to rent, school fees, food, or transport. Others will spend it on alcohol because people are desperate,” he said.
“There is no money in the system. These are not business funds; these are survival handouts.”
Omondi argued that the youth crisis in Kenya cannot be solved through cash transfers alone, insisting that employment creation and sustainable entrepreneurship models should be prioritised instead.
“The biggest issues facing young people are unemployment and lack of opportunities to build real businesses. We cannot keep moving around the country handing out cash and calling it empowerment,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing public debate over the effectiveness of NYOTA, a flagship government programme aimed at supporting vulnerable youth aged between 18 and 29 years, particularly those with Form Four education and below.
President William Ruto has defended the initiative, describing it as a key pillar of his administration’s bottom-up economic agenda.
Omondi argued that the youth crisis in Kenya cannot be solved through cash transfers alone, insisting that employment creation and sustainable entrepreneurship models should be prioritised instead.
“The biggest issues facing young people are unemployment and lack of opportunities to build real businesses. We cannot keep moving around the country handing out cash and calling it empowerment,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing public debate over the effectiveness of NYOTA, a flagship government programme aimed at supporting vulnerable youth aged between 18 and 29 years, particularly those with Form Four education and below.
President William Ruto has defended the initiative, describing it as a key pillar of his administration’s bottom-up economic agenda.
Speaking on Thursday, January 15, during the programme’s rollout, Ruto said NYOTA was already benefiting between 70 and 80 young people in every ward nationwide.
“Today, the NYOTA programme is reaching 70 to 80 young people in every ward across the Republic of Kenya,” the President said.
“Today, the NYOTA programme is reaching 70 to 80 young people in every ward across the Republic of Kenya,” the President said.
“This is what we meant by bottom-up—empowering citizens at the lowest level without discriminating based on education.”
Ruto added that the initiative targets unemployed and underemployed youth, enabling them to access capital and improve their livelihoods regardless of academic background.
However, criticism of the programme has continued to mount. Former Roots Party deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the disbursements, warning that without safeguards and mentorship, the funds could be wasted.
Wamae echoed Omondi’s concerns, suggesting that lump-sum cash transfers risk being misused in the absence of financial literacy training and long-term economic planning.
Omondi, who claims to interact regularly with grassroots youth across the country, said young people are growing increasingly frustrated with policies that fail to address systemic economic challenges.
“Young people don’t want favours. They want dignity. They want jobs, industries, and an economy that works for them,” he said.
The comedian further warned that continued reliance on short-term interventions could deepen disillusionment among the youth, a demographic that played a decisive role in the 2022 elections and is expected to remain influential in 2027.
Ruto added that the initiative targets unemployed and underemployed youth, enabling them to access capital and improve their livelihoods regardless of academic background.
However, criticism of the programme has continued to mount. Former Roots Party deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of the disbursements, warning that without safeguards and mentorship, the funds could be wasted.
Wamae echoed Omondi’s concerns, suggesting that lump-sum cash transfers risk being misused in the absence of financial literacy training and long-term economic planning.
Omondi, who claims to interact regularly with grassroots youth across the country, said young people are growing increasingly frustrated with policies that fail to address systemic economic challenges.
“Young people don’t want favours. They want dignity. They want jobs, industries, and an economy that works for them,” he said.
The comedian further warned that continued reliance on short-term interventions could deepen disillusionment among the youth, a demographic that played a decisive role in the 2022 elections and is expected to remain influential in 2027.
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