More than 100 youth have begun a three-day empowerment training under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme at Chuka University.
The programme is aimed at equipping them with essential business and financial management skills to enable effective utilisation of government grants.
Speaking during the opening of the training, Chuka South Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Champion Wachira said the participants will later train other beneficiaries in their respective communities.
“The funds provided through the NYOTA Programme are grants meant to uplift young people. Those who benefit must be trained to ensure the money is used wisely to create sustainable livelihoods,” Wachira emphasised.
On his part, Mr. Kabaria Barui, the Chief Executive Officer of Setface Consultant Limited, one of the firms implementing the programme, said their team of professional consultants will spend three days mentoring the trainees on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and innovation.
“Led by the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), we are committed to ensuring that the youth gain practical knowledge that will help them develop viable business ideas and manage them effectively,” said Barui.
He added that the programme will also help reduce crime rates by keeping young people engaged in productive economic activities.
Barui further thanked the Government of Kenya and the World Bank for their continued partnership in financing and supporting the Nyota Programme, which aims to empower vulnerable youth through employment creation, entrepreneurship, savings culture, and digital opportunities.
The five-year initiative targets over 820,000 young people aged between 18 and 29 years (and up to 35 for persons with disabilities) across the country, helping them transition from unemployment to sustainable income-generating ventures.
By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
