Key Findings from a National Survey

A new national survey by Infotrak Research & Consulting shows that the Nyota programme is widely known and broadly supported, but increasingly judged by Kenyans on issues of fairness, transparency, and access rather than the amount of money provided.

The survey finds that 78% of Kenyans are aware of the Nyota programme, confirming that it has achieved strong national visibility. However, awareness is uneven, with significantly lower levels among older Kenyans and in some regions, creating pockets of perceived exclusion.

In the public mind, Nyota has become primarily associated with cash grants. 65% of respondents say the programme is mainly about giving start-up money, compared to 19% who associate it with training and mentorship, and just 4% who link it to savings or financial inclusion. This framing has shaped expectations and how the programme is judged.

Despite high awareness, direct participation remains limited. Only 36% of Kenyans say they or someone close to them has benefited from Nyota, while 52% say they have not, and 11% report having applied but not been selected. This gap between visibility and lived experience is contributing to public scepticism.

Perceptions of fairness are sharply divided. 44% of respondents believe Nyota’s eligibility criteria are fair, while 46% say they are unfair, indicating a legitimacy challenge that goes beyond programme design and into public trust.

Transparency emerges as a key concern. Only 25% of Kenyans rate the Nyota process as very transparent, while 31% describe it as not transparent, particularly in some regions. This suggests that how decisions are communicated matters as much as the decisions themselves.

Importantly, the size of the grant is not the main public concern. 77% of respondents say the KSh 50,000 grant is sufficient to start a small business, while 19% believe it is too small. The focus, therefore, is less on the amount and more on who accesses it and why.

Finally, Kenyans express a clear sense of priority. 44% say unemployed youth should be the top beneficiaries, followed by 26% who prioritise people with viable business ideas regardless of education level, and 19% who prioritise persons living with disabilities.

Overall, the findings suggest that Nyota enjoys strong public goodwill, but its long-term credibility will depend on improving transparency, clearly communicating selection criteria, and ensuring that access is seen to be fair and consistent across regions and groups.