Mandera: Principal Secretaries Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim, State Department for National Government Coordination, and Ismail Maalim Madey, State Department for Special Programmes, today met youths from Mandera and Wajir counties as part of the ongoing nationwide sensitisation of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Physical Validation Exercise for the NYOTA Business Support Component officially commenced on Friday, 24th October 2025, at Mandera Polytechnic, alongside similar activities across all 290 constituency headquarters nationwide.
Hundreds of youths turned up at Mandera East for the verification exercise of the government's NYOTA Program, optimistic that the initiative will open doors for entrepreneurship, job creation, and improved livelihoods across the region.
The two Principal Secretaries also held interactive sessions in El-Wak, Takaba, Wajir North, and Elda's constituencies, engaging youth on how to effectively benefit from the programme.
They reaffirmed the Government's commitment to empowering young people by providing access to resources that foster sustainable and gainful livelihood opportunities.
The PS for Special Programs urged the youth to ensure they achieve maximum benefits of the opportunity provided through the NYOTA Programme. 'I encourage the young people of Elwak and across Mandera to seize this opportunity and make good use of the grant issued by the government to transform their lives and communities,' he said.
He further noted that once the validation exercise is completed, all eligible youth will undergo training to equip them with the skills needed to make the best use of this opportunity.
The NYOTA Program reflects the Government's steadfast dedication to inclusivity, fairness, and transparency, and commitment to promote collaborative efforts aimed at unlocking the potential of Kenya's youth.