Kajiado: A total of 1,750 youth from Kajiado County are set to benefit from the government's Sh5 billion National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme, aimed at addressing unemployment and promoting entrepreneurship among young people.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Programme was officially launched on Monday at Maasai National Polytechnic in Kajiado by the Principal Secretary (PS) for Irrigation, Dr. Ephantus Kimotho, who described it as a pivotal initiative under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), aimed at fostering economic empowerment for marginalized and vulnerable communities. Dr. Kimotho stated that 70 youth from each of the county's 25 wards will receive a business grant of Sh50,000 to enable them to either start or expand their businesses. 'NYOTA is designed to equip our youth with the tools, resources, and support needed to create sustainable livelihoods and contribute to national development,' said the PS.
Kajiado South Member of Parliament (MP), Samuel Parashina Sakimba, who attended the launch, urged eligible youth to take advantage of the opportunity and apply in large numbers. 'This is a chance for our youth to lift themselves out of unemployment and dependency,' said the MP, adding, 'I encourage all young people in Kajiado and beyond, to apply and fully engage with the programme's training and mentorship.'
The MP called on local leaders, youth groups, and administrators to assist in mobilising and supporting applicants, especially those in rural and remote areas. The NYOTA programme is a five-year initiative by the Government of Kenya in partnership with the World Bank. It targets 100,000 youth aged 18 to 29 across all 1,450 wards in the country. For persons with disabilities, the age limit has been extended to 35 years.
The Programme was initially unveiled during the International Youth Day celebrations held in August 2025 in Kakamega County. The platform is zero-rated, enabling youth to apply without the need for internet access or airtime. Notably, previous applicants will not be required to reapply, as their submissions will be considered during the new registration period.