Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Authority Director General Henry Rithaa has called on the young people aged below 29 years and 35 for those with disability to take start applying for the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) grants following the portal’s opening on Monday.
Rithaa who was speaking during a sensitization exercise in Chuka said the program targets vulnerable youth and that the application period will go on up to October 12.
“We have officially opened the portal today and registration will run from today to October 12, 2025. Registration can be done by dialing *254#,” said Mr Rithaa.
He added that validation and sensitization at the constituency level will take place on October 17, 2025, while the national launch is scheduled for October 29, 2025.
He urged the young people to register before the deadline, since no applications will be accepted after October 12.
Leaders from both political and National Government from Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties were urged to mobilize the youth to register for the program to own business premises in future.
Speaking during the sensitization program, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Roseline Njogu, said NYOTA program is a government initiative designed to boost youth employment and income generation through apprenticeships, business support, and savings culture.
PS Njogu said the program which has been opened today countrywide for interested youth to apply will run up to October 12,2025 and will support 70 youth from every ward with Sh50,000 start-up grants for entrepreneurs.
She called on the leaders who received the training to pass the same information to the youth and mobilize them to apply in large numbers.
“Statistics indicate that we have more money to issue than the youth who have already registered for the program and this is the reason we are urging you to mobilize and urge young people from your area to apply,” said Ms Njogu.
She noted that there will be monitoring after the disbursement since it is important to walk with them once you give them money to ensure they succeed in their endeavours.
While speaking in Tharaka Nithi County, Blue Economy PS Betsy Njagi, emphasized the government’s commitment to inclusivity and youth empowerment through sustainable initiatives while focusing on creating long-term change by enabling income generation and promoting a culture of saving among the youth.
She noted that the Nyota Program is part of a five-year initiative by the GOK, aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), aimed at addressing unemployment and boosting local economies.
Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner David Gitonga who also attended the event, assured the public of the county administration’s full support in the implementation of the program.
“Our role as the county administration is to provide an enabling environment for such youth-centered initiatives. We will work closely with MPs, MCAs, chiefs, and other grassroots leaders to ensure every eligible youth in Tharaka Nithi is informed and supported,” said Mr Gitonga.
By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
