Kwale: Science, Research and Innovation PS Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak will lead the rollout of the Sh5 billion government youth empowerment National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) at the Kwale cultural centre. Speaking in Kwale, ahead of Monday consultative forums, Prof. Abdulrazak commended the government of Kenya for offering a scientifically proven solution to the challenges faced by vulnerable youth.
According to Kenya News Agency, the PS emphasized the role of science in society and praised the election of President Dr. William Ruto, a scientist, as a strategic decision for the nation's development. He highlighted that science, research, and innovation are crucial for seeking sustainable solutions to socio-economic and political challenges.
Prof. Abdulrazak encouraged youth across the county to seize the opportunity to gain skills and experiences that will empower them and their families. The Kenyan government, in collaboration with the World Bank Group, initiated the NYOTA project to support youth by increasing employment opportunities, earnings, and promoting a savings culture.
A recent State House meeting in Nairobi saw all principal secretaries and President Dr. William Ruto discussing the NYOTA project rollout. The President instructed principal secretaries to lead leadership sensitizations and validation forums on October 6 and Friday, 17, 2025, to fulfill the constitutional mandate of public participation.
NYOTA represents an expansion of the Kenya Youth Employment Opportunities Project, aiming to improve the livelihood of vulnerable youth through national-scale interventions. These include enhancing youth employability, expanding employment opportunities, supporting youth savings, and strengthening youth employment systems.
The project targets 820,000 vulnerable youth nationwide, including refugees in Garissa and Turkana camps. It focuses on unemployed youth aged 18-29 years (up to 35 for PWDs) with Form 4 level education or below. The NYOTA Project Components aim to improve employability, provide socio-emotional skills, and support skill transfer through various initiatives, ensuring sustainability and scalability of youth businesses.