Machakos: The government yesterday officially launched the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) program at Machakos University. The youth empowerment initiative aims to tackle unemployment, specifically targeting vulnerable and disadvantaged youths aged 18-29, as well as people with disabilities up to 35 years old across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, the nationwide transformative project targets 820,000 youths, costing approximately Sh5 billion and funded by the World Bank. Young individuals with business ideas or existing projects will receive grants of Sh50,000, along with mentorship and training to help them build viable enterprises and sustain themselves and their families.
Speaking to the media at Machakos University, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Wildlife, Sylvia Museiya, who officially launched the NYOTA program, emphasized that the government is concerned with youth unemployment. Measures such as the NYOTA program are part of the government's strategy to address this issue through entrepreneurship, skills development, and savings.
"This is not just another fund, it is a complete ecosystem designed to equip our youth with skills, discipline, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive. By empowering young people today, we secure Kenya's economic future," said Museiya.
Museiya explained that after applying for the grant, assessments will be conducted through interviews to identify youths ready for business or with a business idea. They will receive skills training and mentorship, and post-grant, they will be encouraged to save with the NSSF, which will be upgraded to support this initiative and foster a savings culture for future generations.
Beyond grants, the Nyota Program promotes individual responsibility while encouraging digital integration for 600,000 youths. They will be trained to access government tenders and create a Kenyan version of Amazon-a digital marketplace connecting young entrepreneurs to global markets.
"This project allows you to grow on your own but have a mentor to support you through the process by promoting individual responsibility as opposed to group funds or group work," added Museiya.
Museiya noted challenges in incomplete Nyota applications, where youths fill only the first part of the document, often omitting necessary attachments like the PWD certificate or failing to attend the aptitude test.
Machakos County Commissioner Josephine Ouko expressed confidence in her NGAO team and their readiness to engage with youths on the Nyota application to ensure a 100% success rate. "We are focused and organized and ready to engage with the youths and team leaders because nothing is impossible when we give our all," said Ouko.
The event was attended by MSME officers, Machakos Youth officials, NSSF officers, Machakos CECM for Youth, Sports, Gender and Social Welfare Sharon Mutua, NGAO team, and other national government officers.