A 24-year-old differently-abled youth in Kisii town has applauded the government for launching the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project grant, which enabled him to expand his electronics shop.
Speaking at his business premises during a visit by Broadcasting and Telecommunications Principal Secretary Stephen Isaboke, Josephat Nyagaka said that before receiving the grant, he had to make frequent trips to other dealers to source phone accessories for clients, a process that was both costly and tiring due to his physical disability.
“During the application process, I had to be patient since it was my first time doing an online application,” Nyagaka noted.
His perseverance paid off after he was selected for a four-day business support training and later invited to the launch of the NYOTA start-up capital disbursement at Gusii Stadium on Thursday.
Nyagaka revealed that the Sh22,000 he received enabled him to purchase mobile phones and accessories, including chargers, cables, and power banks, while he awaits the second disbursement.
PS Isaboke visited Nyagaka’s shop after touring the Jitume Digital Hub at Kisii National Polytechnic, where at least 400 youths are benefiting from digital skills training.
During the NYOTA launch, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, noted that over two million youth had applied for support under the project’s business support component.
MSMEs Development PS, Susan Mangeni, assured beneficiaries that they will continue to receive support from government institutions such as Kenya Industrial Estates, Uwezo Fund, and the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA).
By Jane Naitore and Clinton Nyamumbo
