By J, KNA
The Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, Aden Millah, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment through the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project.
Speaking during the County Stakeholder Sensitization Forum for the NYOTA Project at the Garissa University, PS Millah lauded the initiative as a practical, inclusive and results-driven approach, that directly aligns with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“NYOTA Project is one of the most transformative youth empowerment programs in Kenya’s history, it is about hope, empowerment and action. It is about giving our young people the tools, the skills and the confidence to shape their own futures,” said the PS.
The NYOTA Project, financed by the World Bank and implemented through a multi-agency framework seeks to empower over 820,000 vulnerable young people across the country, including refugees in Garissa and Turkana Counties.
The initiative builds upon the success of the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP).
Its overarching goal is to enable young Kenyans to learn, earn, and save through skills development, work experience, entrepreneurship training, and financial inclusion.
“Through this project, we want to increase youth earnings, expand employment opportunities, and promote a sustainable savings culture,” the PS emphasized.
PS Millah noted that the project’s key components include; Improving Youth Employability by offering technical and socio-emotional training, job placements, and certification through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program, for informally acquired skills.
Further, he added that the project is angled to increase employment opportunities by supporting the youth with viable business ideas through start-up capital and business development training.
He additionally stated that the project has a component of youth savings and social protection, saying that it is promoting a savings culture via the Haba Haba Scheme and offering maternity income replacement benefits for young women savers.
PS Millah said that the project is aimed at strengthening employment systems and digital skills by enhancing the capacity of counties and institutions to manage youth employment programs and improve access to Government services.
The PS called on all stakeholders from County governments to youth leaders, to intensify public awareness and ensure maximum participation, particularly in areas with low uptake.
He emphasized that the registration process is data-driven and transparent, warning applicants against duplicate submissions.
“Let us ensure that no young person is left behind, whether in rural areas, informal settlements, or marginalized communities,” he urged.
The PS also expressed concern over low participation in the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT), which has affected attendance in subsequent Business Development Services (BDS) training sessions.
“Lack of attendance will lead to the loss of Sh. 50,000 per youth who misses this transformative opportunity,” he cautioned, calling upon local administrators and leaders, to help trace and mobilize beneficiaries.
He urged all government agencies, development partners and the private sector, to collaborate in ensuring the NYOTA Project’s success.
“Together, let us light-up the path for our young people so that every youth in every ward, can say through NYOTA Project, my future is bright,” he said.