By Arnold Ageta
The government has commenced the nationwide rollout of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, a transformative initiative designed to empower young people across Kenya.
In collaboration with the World Bank, the government seeks to empower, mentor, and create opportunities for youth in key sectors such as transport, ICT, agriculture, manufacturing, and the creative economy.
The program also promotes digital inclusion, enabling young innovators and entrepreneurs to access training and funding.
In Nyamira County, the rollout exercise was led by Solicitor General (SG) Shadrack Mose, who announced the project will issue Ksh. 5 billion to youths aged between 18 and 29, and up to 35 years for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
“This project is funded by the World Bank and will run for the next five years to inculcate a saving culture among the youth,” SG Mose said. He affirmed the government’s agenda of transforming the youth from job seekers into job creators to curb rising unemployment.
The Solicitor General added that the project will benefit unemployed, underemployed, or low-income youths from all 47 counties—including refugees in Garissa and Turkana—who have reached Form 4 level of education or below.
“We are reopening applications from today (October 6 – 12) to allow those youths who did not get an opportunity to apply to do so,” he said. “Each ward across the country will benefit 70 youths with KSh. 50,000 in startup capital.”
This translates into 820,000 youths who will have benefitted by the end of the project, in the spirit of the government’s commitment to youth empowerment.
“During the 2022 campaigns, President Ruto had promised to create jobs and empower youths and cultivate the multiplier effect,” SG Mose explained.
The exercise, held at the West Mugirango CDF Hall, drew all Assistant County Commissioners, Chiefs, and their assistants to spearhead the mobilization and publicity of the project in the villages.
SG Mose urged young people to seize the opportunity and work toward building strong credit profiles and financial discipline, assuring them that no one will be required to pay any form of bribe to benefit from the project.
“Participants will undergo entrepreneurship and business skills training and mentorship, which will form part of the qualification process for the programme,” he concluded.
