The NYOTA Fund, a government initiative aimed at empowering young people through business support and skills development, has continued to create opportunities for youths in the country by helping them improve their livelihoods through entrepreneurship and vocational training.
The programme, which targets youth empowerment through start-up capital and technical skills, has supported thousands of young entrepreneurs across the country.
Christine Atieno, a beneficiary of the Nyota programme from Migori, says that the fund she received was more than just financial assistance; it was an opportunity to strengthen a small business she had already established.
Atieno says the money enabled her to expand her grocery stall by introducing new products that were previously unavailable, which she says has improved her daily earnings.
“The Sh50,000 I received has enabled me to expand my small business that had already existed, resulting in increased profit margins,” she added.
She noted that the programme has changed the way some young people view economic independence, as many beneficiaries who previously relied on others for financial support can now generate their own income.
However, Atieno observed that beneficiaries continue to face challenges, including increased competition as more people venture into similar businesses.
She added that the programme has also contributed to social changes among the youths who saw business ventures as a work burden.
“A lot of my peers who did not venture into any businesses before have started to embrace the business world, a big encouragement that the Nyota programme trainings have achieved,” she noted.
Fred Odiambo, a beneficiary of the government’s Nyota Programme from Rongo Sub-County, discloses that the initiative has transformed his tree nursery and crop farming business.
Odhiambo, who has received Sh50,000 from the first and second phases of the Nyota programme, explains that the cash has enabled him to start a bio-fertiliser business.
His working capital has grown, and his venture and profit margins have improved for the last three months.
The beneficiary is now on a mission to help farmers within his sub-county improve their yields through his bio-fertiliser business.
“The government has empowered me, and I believe it is my duty to empower others to achieve what I am already achieving,” he noted.
Jackton Odhiambo from Kamagambo Ward in Rongo Sub-County expressed his gratitude to the government for enabling him to have working capital to start a broadcasting business.
The programme funding enabled Odhiambo to purchase office chairs, a microphone, a tripod stand and a banner.
The broadcast business has already employed two young people who assist Odhiambo in shooting events like weddings and funeral services within his sub-county.
Beyond business funding, the NYOTA Fund has entered another phase focusing on skills development, where beneficiaries are undergoing training aimed at improving their chances of accessing employment opportunities and building sustainable careers.
Under this phase, youths are allowed to select courses based on their interests and career aspirations, with training offered in various fields.
Beneficiaries also receive a monthly stipend of Sh6,000 during the training period to support their participation.
For Berryl Akinyi, one of the beneficiaries from Suna East Sub-County, undergoing job experience training, the opportunity has provided her with practical skills in baking.
Akinyi says beneficiaries were given the freedom to choose courses they were interested in, with options that included catering, plumbing, salon and bakery, among other courses.
She adds that the youths learn from field experience where they are directly attached to a company to acquire practical skills,” she said.
Akinyi said the programme has exposed her to practical knowledge beyond classroom training, including sales skills, financial management and understanding market trends.
“I have learnt a lot from the experts in the baking industry, and I believe I am in a better position to start my own bakery armed with managerial skills from my training,” said Akinyi.
According to her, the NYOTA programme has provided an opportunity for young people who missed university education to acquire skills that can help them compete in the job market.
Despite the positive impact of the programme, the beneficiaries have raised concerns about challenges such as the distance between their homes and training centres, saying that long journeys have increased transport costs and affected attendance.
They have called on the government to consider establishing training centres closer to beneficiaries or providing additional support to reduce the burden of travelling costs.
Regardless of these challenges, the beneficiaries say the NYOTA Fund has restored hope among young people by providing them with opportunities to either grow existing businesses or acquire skills that can improve their prospects.
For many youths in Migori, the programme represents a pathway from dependency to self-reliance as they work towards building sustainable sources of income.
By Centrine Odoyo and George Agimba
