Government Rolls Out NYOTA Programme to Empower Unemployed Youth
Principal Secretary for Lands and Planning, Nixon Korir, addresses youth and stakeholders during a sensitisation meeting on the upcoming NYOTA Programme in Nairobi.
The government has unveiled a new youth empowerment initiative dubbed the NYOTA Programme, aimed at tackling unemployment among young Kenyans without formal academic qualifications.
The programme, set for official launch by President William Ruto on October 29 in Kakamega, will provide start-up grants and entrepreneurship training to youth aged between 18 and 29 years.
Speaking during a sensitisation meeting in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Lands and Planning, Nixon Korir, said the initiative targets a long-neglected segment of society—those who did not advance beyond primary or secondary education.
“There are many Kenyans who dropped out of Class Eight or high school and have never had the opportunity to access formal employment. This programme is meant for them. It is not discrimination against those with diplomas and degrees because there are other initiatives for them. This one focuses on those who have been left out for far too long,” explained Korir.
He assured that the recruitment process would be transparent, fair, and free of political interference, anchored on a digital verification system that checks applicants’ age, education level, and area of residence.
To ensure equitable distribution, the government has allocated 70 slots per ward across the country’s 1,450 wards. Applications are being submitted through a free USSD code, accessible on any mobile phone—allowing youth without internet access or airtime to apply easily.
Korir emphasised that the system is designed to eliminate fraud and favoritism.
“The integrated system can detect applicants’ real age, education status, and even where they are registered voters. This means someone in Nakuru cannot pretend to be from Mombasa. Anyone who tries will face automatic disqualification,” he said.
The PS underscored that NYOTA is open to all Kenyan youth, regardless of tribe or background.
“When I served as MP for Lang’ata, I was elected as a Kenyan. Similarly, this programme is for every Kenyan youth who qualifies. Tribalism and politics have no place in NYOTA,” he stated.
During the session, participants raised concerns over harassment of small traders by enforcement officers and competition from foreign traders. Korir assured that licensed traders operating legally would be protected, while urging Kenyan youth to seize the opportunity and compete fairly in business.
He also supported suggestions to reduce licensing fees, encourage group ventures, and exempt small start-ups from some taxes.
“Our interest is that once you qualify, you get the grant, undergo training, and expand your business. You can even join forces with others to raise more capital. Nothing stops you from growing beyond the initial grant,” he noted.
Korir highlighted the importance of a savings culture, revealing that beneficiaries would be required to save at least KSh3,000, which the government would match with an equal amount.
“The aim is to inculcate a culture of saving so that young people can prepare for life after 60. With savings and grants combined, beneficiaries will have more capital to invest,” he added.
Validation of selected beneficiaries will take place in constituencies on October 17, where local leaders will physically verify applicants before the official launch. Korir urged chiefs, MCAs, and county officials to help spread information to ensure deserving youth apply.
“We want to ensure that Mama Mboga in your ward, who has been struggling for years, gets this opportunity. Leaders must help spread the word, because the portal is live and applications are ongoing,” he appealed.
The PS reiterated that the government is determined to uplift youth who have long been overlooked.
“This programme was designed specifically for those who have never had a chance. We cannot ignore them anymore. It is now their turn,” he affirmed.
Dr. Caroline Kiende Kaua, Director of Business Development, Trade and Marketing at the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA), said beneficiaries will undergo comprehensive training and mentorship before receiving grants.
“We are equipping the youth with both social-emotional and business development skills. Training will be followed by mentorship for up to six months, linking beneficiaries with experienced entrepreneurs. After selection, training starts immediately, followed by disbursement of funds in a back-to-back rollout,” Dr. Kaua explained.
She added that continuous mentorship would help young entrepreneurs sustain their ventures and reduce the high failure rate of start-ups.
Nairobi County Secretary, Godfrey Akumali, pledged full support for the programme, saying the county government plans to waive taxes and licensing fees for new start-ups.
“We want to ensure that start-ups supported through NYOTA are not strangled by levies before they take off. Our proposal to Cabinet will be to allow beneficiaries to operate tax-free for up to two years while holding valid business licenses,” said Akumali.
He noted that the county had already reorganised its administrative framework through borough managers, sub-county administrators, and ward officers, who will work with the national government to implement the initiative.
Supported by the World Bank, the NYOTA Programme is expected to be a game changer in addressing youth unemployment by providing grants, training, mentorship, and business incubation to thousands of young Kenyans across all counties.
