The government has intensified its call to young Kenyans to register for the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme ahead of the fast-approaching application deadline on April 30, 2025.
The government is further urging the youth to seize this critical opportunity to benefit from government-funded start-up capital, technical and life skills training, structured mentorship, and access to employment and entrepreneurship pathways designed to empower vulnerable youth and transform their economic prospects across the country.
Speaking during a sensitization forum held at Matobo Primary School grounds in Kericho, Acting Senior Enterprise Development Officer at the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) Michelle Aburili urged youth in the region to take advantage of the NYOTA programme and register without delay emphasizing that the programme offers not only seed capital to fund start-ups but also access to vital skills, mentorship, and business development services aimed at empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Aburili explained that the NYOTA programme is a flagship initiative of the Government of Kenya, supported by the World Bank, and targets youth aged between 18 and 29, with an upper age limit of 35 for Persons with Disabilities.
“It is specifically tailored for individuals who have completed up to Form Four education and are currently unemployed, underemployed, or engaged in low-income activities. Over its five-year implementation period, the programme aims to reach as many jobless youths as possible across all 47 counties,” Aburili said.
She noted that the initiative builds on the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP), with an expanded focus on long-term employability, income generation, and financial inclusion adding that the project has been structured around four key components, each addressing a unique challenge facing Kenya’s youth population in today’s job market.
“The first component seeks to improve youth employability by providing access to technical and life skills training, along with job placement support and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This allows youth with informal skills to be formally recognized and better positioned for employment,” said Aburili
Aburili further explained that the second component, which is being implemented by MSEA, focuses on expanding employment opportunities through entrepreneurship development, offering start-up capital, training in socio-emotional and business skills, and providing mentorship and market linkage opportunities.
She added that the third component of NYOTA promotes youth savings by encouraging financial literacy and access to formal financial services, coupled with incentives that reward saving behaviour.
“The fourth component strengthens national youth employment systems and institutional capacity, ensuring effective implementation, monitoring, and sustainability of the program at both national and county levels,” Aburili pointed out.
The MSEA official called on eligible youth to dial *254# on their mobile phones to begin the application process noting that the platform had been simplified for ease of access, and further information regarding eligibility criteria and required documentation was available on the MSEA website at https://msea.go.ke/nyota-call-for-application.
Meanwhile, speaking to KNA, Kericho East Sub-County Youth officer Gladys Kipng’ok revealed that a comprehensive mapping of master craftsmen across various trades had already been completed.
Ms. Kipng’ok explained that the craftsmen within Kericho Town, drawn from sectors such as construction, tailoring, metalwork, mechanics, and agribusiness, would serve as trainers and mentors for youth enrolled in apprenticeship programmes under the employability component.
“Mapping has already been done; some craftsmen are yet to acquire formal business documentation but they are in the process of formalizing their businesses to ensure that youth in Kericho will have access to localized, hands-on training opportunities that align with labor market demands,” emphasized Ms. Kipng’ok.
By Kibe Mburu
