President William Ruto has directed county governments to waive business permit fees for beneficiaries of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme for two years.

Speaking on Friday, July 10, during the disbursement of the second tranche of NYOTA funds at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi, Ruto said the move aimed at easing the cost of doing business for young entrepreneurs and accelerating the growth of youth-owned enterprises.

He directed the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), working with county governments, to develop and implement the two-year business permit waiver for all NYOTA beneficiaries.

“I therefore direct the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council, working together with the county governments, to develop and implement a two-year business permit waiver for all NYOTA beneficiaries,” he said.

According to the Head of State, the waiver is intended to reduce the regulatory burden on start-ups and allow new enterprises sufficient time to become established before taking on the full cost of compliance.

Ruto said the achievements recorded by beneficiaries who had received modest government support underscored the need for policies that encourage rather than hinder business growth.

“Having seen what these young entrepreneurs have achieved with modest support, the government of Kenya now has a responsibility to remove the barriers that still stand in their way. Success should never be constrained by unnecessary bureaucracy,”  he added.

To further strengthen the programme, the President directed the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development to establish a national NYOTA identification mechanism for all beneficiaries.

The unique identification system will enable participants to seamlessly access government programmes, incentives and other opportunities designed to support enterprise development and expansion.

In addition, Ruto instructed government-backed financial institutions, including the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund and Kenya Industrial Estates, to develop dedicated financial products tailored specifically for NYOTA beneficiaries.

He said the initial grant provided through the programme should serve as a stepping stone for continued business growth while encouraging beneficiaries to seek additional financial opportunities.

The NYOTA programme, jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank, is one of the country’s flagship youth empowerment initiatives aimed at supporting young people to start and expand businesses while improving access to employment opportunities.

Besides providing seed capital, the programme equips beneficiaries with business development and management skills to improve the sustainability of their enterprises.

Under the latest phase, the government is injecting Sh3 billion into the programme, with each beneficiary receiving Sh25,000.

The payment follows an earlier disbursement of the same amount, bringing the total support allocated to each participant to Sh50,000.

Only beneficiaries who successfully completed the mandatory business development training qualified for the second tranche of funding, which the government says is intended to strengthen the long-term viability of youth-led enterprises.

Also Read: What is NYOTA program? Eligibility and how to apply for Sh50K gov’t grant

The rapid growth of short-term rental accommodation is opening new opportunities for young entrepreneurs, with digital platforms increasingly becoming the bridge between property owners and guests

At the centre of this transformation is a new generation of Airbnb managers who are building profitable businesses without owning the apartments they market.

For Michael Najabi Mukoya, founder of Kisumu Living, social media has been more than a marketing tool, it has been the foundation upon which he built his business.

His entry into the hospitality sector was unplanned. A graduate of Economics from Maseno University, Mukoya discovered Airbnb while searching for accommodation during a trip from Nairobi to Kisumu.

“I had no plan. We were just looking for accommodation. I did not even know what Airbnb was at the time. That is when I learned it exists,” he recalled as quoted by KNA.

Despite lacking the capital required to purchase and furnish properties, Mukoya did not resist. Instead, he adopted a different business model by acting as an intermediary between property owners and guests.

“I had no capital, so I decided to become an agent. Airbnb requires money because you need to furnish apartments before you can begin. I therefore started by connecting hosts with guests,” he explained.

Building trust, however, proved to be the biggest hurdle. Without apartments of his own or an established brand, attracting clients required persistence and creativity.

The breakthrough came through digital marketing.

“The internet changed everything. I got my first clients through Facebook,” he said.

Mukoya began advertising furnished apartments on Facebook Marketplace under the Kisumu Living brand, often posting listings before securing long-term partnerships with property owners.

“I was posting every day even before I had enough hosts. People kept responding to my adverts, and that is when I realised accommodation was a genuine business opportunity,” he said.

His confidence grew after securing his first successful booking for a one-bedroom apartment in Lolwe Estate.

“At first I thought it was a joke. Someone simply asked whether the apartment was available. I confirmed it was, and they booked it for three nights,” he recalled.

The experience demonstrated that potential guests were willing to trust a service they had discovered online.

“I was very shy, but when the client actually arrived and stayed, it proved that someone could trust me simply because they had seen my Facebook post.”

As positive reviews and referrals increased, more landlords entrusted him with managing their furnished apartments.

Today, Kisumu Living oversees short-term rental units in Milimani, Tom Mboya Estate, Makasembo, Polyview, Lolwe Estate, Mamboleo, Otonglo and the Central Business District, allowing the business to cater to visitors seeking accommodation in different parts of the city.

“We are spread across different parts of Kisumu so that we can serve clients wherever they want to stay,” Mukoya said.

Unlike traditional hotels, furnished apartments offer visitors greater privacy, kitchen facilities and flexible pricing, making them increasingly attractive to business travellers, conference delegates, families and tourists.

Mukoya believes this growing visitor traffic has created a strong market for professionally managed Airbnb units.

The business has also become a source of employment for young people, creating opportunities beyond property management.

“We work with cleaners, maintenance personnel, photographers, online marketers and customer service providers. Every apartment creates work for several people.”

As Kisumu Living expanded, its focus shifted from simply providing accommodation to delivering an experience that enhances guests’ productivity during their stay.

“We do not just provide a place to sleep. We aim to maximise our clients’ productivity while they are in Kisumu by ensuring they enjoy a comfortable stay.”

He believes the quality of accommodation directly influences visitors’ overall experience.

“Your productivity today depends on how well you slept yesterday. Our responsibility is to make sure every guest rests comfortably.”

Social media continues to play a central role in attracting customers. While Facebook helped launch the business, TikTok has become another powerful marketing platform, enabling Kisumu Living to reach wider audiences through short-form videos.

“In today’s world, visibility comes before everything else. You may possess excellent skills, but if nobody knows your business exists, success becomes difficult.”

One TikTok video generated one of the company’s most memorable bookings.

“I had very few followers when I uploaded a video. A lady contacted me through direct message, requested a viewing and later booked one of our Milimani apartments for eight days.”

Despite its growth, the business continues to face challenges. Mukoya says the high cost of setting up quality furnished apartments remains a major barrier for aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Setting up even one quality apartment requires substantial investment.”

Managing multiple properties also comes with security risks, including occasional theft of household items after guests check out.

To minimise losses, some apartments have installed CCTV cameras in common areas, while others require guests to present national identification documents before checking in.

Balancing affordability with quality and security also requires careful planning, particularly when serving clients with different budgets.

“We serve both budget-conscious travellers and high-end clients. Concentrating only on expensive neighbourhoods would lock out many potential customers.”

Looking ahead, Mukoya remains optimistic about the future of Airbnb management in Kisumu as visitor numbers continue to grow.

He encourages young entrepreneurs to embrace digital platforms, build credibility and understand the importance of location when entering the business.

“I encourage young people to explore Airbnb management and other digital businesses. If you learn how to market your services effectively, you can succeed even without owning expensive assets.”

He also stresses that success in the short-term rental business depends not only on the quality of an apartment but also on where it is located.

“Location is everything. You may have an excellent apartment, but if it is inaccessible or inconvenient, attracting guests becomes much harder.”

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The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced plans to replace its long-used Excel-based income tax return filing system with a fully web-based platform from 2027, marking a significant shift in how taxpayers submit annual returns.

The transition forms part of reforms introduced under the Finance Act, 2026, and is aimed at modernising tax administration while supporting a new staggered tax return filing calendar designed to ease pressure on the authority’s online systems.

Under the new platform, taxpayers will complete and submit their returns directly through an internet browser, eliminating the need to download, fill and upload Excel spreadsheets as is currently required.

KRA said the digital upgrade complements amendments to Section 52 of the Income Tax Act, which introduce different filing deadlines for various categories of taxpayers to reduce congestion on the iTax system.

“We have staggered returns in the Act so that the individual returns will be due by April and the persons, the non-natural persons will be due by June. That makes then the traffic not coming at the same time. And are we transferring the problem we had in June to April? No, because most of the filers are individuals,” KRA stated.

The tax authority said the reforms are expected to improve the efficiency and reliability of tax return processing by distributing filing activity across multiple deadlines rather than concentrating it within a single period.

“The first thing is we’re introducing web-based returns and these returns we’re not going to have to require you to fill the Excel anymore. It will be web-based,” KRA added.

Under the revised filing calendar, natural persons, including salaried employees whose income is taxed through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system, will be required to submit their annual income tax returns by April 30 following the end of their year of income.

Companies and other non-natural persons will have until June 30 to file their annual returns.

Meanwhile, taxpayers required to submit nil returns, including unemployed individuals, students, inactive Personal Identification Number (PIN) holders and those with no taxable income, will be expected to file by January 31.

The revised deadlines will take effect for returns relating to the 2026 year of income, with the first filings under the new timetable scheduled for 2027.

According to KRA, the staggered filing schedule is expected to significantly reduce the system congestion that has traditionally occurred when all taxpayers rushed to meet a single filing deadline, with the web-based filing platform set to streamline the return submission process and enhance taxpayers’ experience.

Also Read: Ex-EPRA boss Daniel Kiptoo stripped, tortured us over Sh96 million

Every successful business begins with a single opportunity. For William Ochieng, that opportunity came with little more than determination, practical skills and a commitment to start small.

Today, his furniture workshop in Kericho has grown into a flourishing enterprise employing several young people and serving a steadily expanding customer base.

The rhythmic sound of woodworking tools and sewing machines echoes through his workshop as artisans assemble sofa sets, beds, cupboards and customised furniture for clients.

Behind the thriving business lies a carefully planned journey built on discipline, patience and an unwavering belief in the value of craftsmanship.

Ochieng’s entrepreneurial journey began after his release from prison towards the end of 2024. Although he had acquired extensive vocational skills in joinery, carpentry, upholstery, tailoring and architectural design while incarcerated, freedom presented an entirely different challenge.

With limited employment opportunities and no capital to launch a business, he knew he had to begin wherever an opportunity emerged.

Rather than waiting for ideal circumstances, he secured employment with an established furniture maker in Kericho.

The work involved cutting timber, assembling furniture frames, stitching upholstery and learning the commercial side of the furniture industry.

While the wages were modest, the experience proved invaluable in sharpening his technical skills and understanding customer preferences.

His first earnings was Sh6,000 from furniture work and an additional Sh700 from upholstery stitching.

Instead of spending the money, Ochieng made a deliberate decision to save every shilling, viewing the income as seed capital for a future enterprise rather than immediate consumption.

The turning point came when two customers entrusted him with an order for a seven-seater sofa set worth Sh6,000.

Delivering the project successfully boosted his confidence and convinced him that he could operate independently.

Encouraged by the customers’ trust, he continued saving until he accumulated Sh7,000, enough to establish a small furniture workshop.

What started as a modest operation has since developed into a growing business serving clients across Kericho and neighbouring areas.

Today, Ochieng’s workshop produces an extensive range of furniture, including sofa sets, beds, cupboards and tailor-made pieces designed to suit individual customer specifications.

His reputation has steadily grown through referrals, with clients returning for quality workmanship and customised designs that distinguish his products from mass-produced alternatives.

A key driver of the business’s growth has been his ability to offer multiple services under one roof.

Unlike many furniture makers who specialise only in carpentry, Ochieng personally undertakes upholstery, stitching and interior finishing.

The business has also become a source of employment as he currently employs five workers, including skilled artisans and trainees undergoing industrial attachment.

Beyond creating jobs, he invests time in mentoring young people interested in furniture making, convinced that vocational skills offer a practical solution to unemployment.

“There is work everywhere if people are willing to learn,” he told KNA. “The problem is that many people want quick money before understanding the value of hard work.”

At least two trainees have already completed their training and moved on to pursue opportunities of their own.

Financially, the workshop continues to record steady returns despite fluctuations in customer demand. On productive days, the business generates between Sh5,000 and Sh10,000.

A single cupboard can earn about Sh3,000 in profit, while customised sofa sets attract higher returns depending on their design and materials.

Standard sofa sets retail for between Sh10,000 and Sh15,000, with premium designs selling for more than Sh20,000.

Ochieng attributes much of his success to a willingness to embrace even the smallest jobs. He believes consistent income comes from completing every assignment professionally, regardless of its value, because small projects gradually build both capital and customer trust.

Innovation has also enabled him to carve out a unique niche in the competitive furniture market. His workshop designs customised furniture inspired by football clubs, producing sofas upholstered in team colours and personalised to reflect customers’ favourite clubs.

The concept has become increasingly popular among football enthusiasts seeking furniture that mirrors their passion while giving his business a distinctive identity in the local market.

Looking ahead, Ochieng plans to expand beyond furniture manufacturing into construction and interior design by leveraging the architectural knowledge he acquired through vocational training.

His long-term ambition is to build a company capable of offering comprehensive construction, furnishing and interior solutions while creating more employment opportunities for young artisans.

Also Read: Kenya’s Top Startups & MSMEs Set to Compete at the GEC+ Africa Kenya Regional Pitch Competition

Four workers who were employed at Tarita Group Ltd in Eldoret have made police reports that they were stripped and beaten by ex-EPRA boss Daniel Kiptoo. The beating is said to have taken place at the company’s offices in Eldoret.

These offices are located on the fifth floor of the Tarita Centre. According to a report that appeared in the Daily Nation newspaper on Thursday July 9, 2027, the company is associated with Kiptoo, who accused the four of misappropriating Sh96 million. The beating is claimed to have occurred in late June 2027.

Apparently, the four had been summoned to the offices for bookkeeping and auditing in a meeting that lasted throughout the day on June 27.

Police reports quoted by the daily further claim that the four individuals were stripped beaten and forced to surrender millions of shillings and properties to Tarita Group in exchange for their freedom.

The police report is also quoted as stating that “the meeting went on up to 2100hrs where it was established that a sum of Sh96,000,000 was missing.”

The four victims reported to the police that four well-built men were ushered into the offices and instructed to deal with them! They were stripped naked and beaten, and forced to reveal the amount of money and wealth that they owned.

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The report in the daily newspaper claimed that it had possessed a signed ‘deed of settlement, asset transfer undertaking and continuity support agreement’ between one of the four individuals and Tarita Group. This document is dated June 28, 2027, the newspaper reported.

The report further claimed that the company was eying a two-acre piece of land, three plots and a commercial hub from one of the four victims in a bid to recoup the money that was allegedly lost.

According to the report in the newspaper, the four individuals were tortured through the night into Sunday June 28 when one of them managed to alert his spouse to track them with the police and a lawyer. This communication, the newspaper reported, had been done under the pretext of contacting spouses who would come and give their signatures for the transfer of the title deeds that had been demanded by the company to be effected.

The police eventually managed to track and answer the victims’ distress calls. In the rescue process, the police arrested six suspects who were identified as Alfred Too, Edwine Gichia, Everline Choge, Joseph Njuguna, Stephen Ngigi and Martin Kamau.

The newspaper report quoted Turbo Sub-County Police Commander Patrick Wekesa saying that investigations into the incident were moving at a snail pace because of external pressures to have the incident settled out of court.

The newspaper stated that it had attempted to reach out to Daniel Kiptoo in vain.