The government has rolled out a series of initiatives under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project to uplift the lives of marginalized groups, including the youth, women, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
According to Principal Secretary for the State Department of Children Services Carren Ageng’o, the NYOTA business support component seeks to expand employment opportunities through entrepreneurship and skill development.
Speaking on Friday during a physical verification exercise for beneficiaries at Nyang’oma Chief’s Camp in Muhoroni Sub-County, Ageng’o said the programme aims to provide capital grants to help young people start or expand their businesses.
“I have interacted with youth who have brilliant ideas, from bakery ventures and aquaculture to farming enterprises,” she said.
At the ward level, 70 beneficiaries will each receive a Sh50,000 grant to support their business projects.
After selection, the cohort will undergo entrepreneurship and financial literacy training in preparation for the fund’s disbursement in early November.
“I urge the youth to use the Sh50,000 wisely, either to start or grow their businesses and even create jobs for others. This is how we build a youth-driven economy,” she emphasised.
The PS noted that the government would carry out monitoring and evaluation to ensure that the grants are used for their intended purpose.
In addition to business grants, NYOTA features an apprenticeship and employment component designed to link skilled youth with master craftsmen and employers under the On-the-Job Experience (OJE) programme.
“If you have a skill but lack certification, you will be attached to a professional for six months, earning Sh6,000 per month as government support while training and receiving certification,” Ageng’o explained.
The OJE targets individuals who have completed Form Four but do not possess a college, TVET, or university certificate, helping them gain qualifications for local and international job markets.
“We have partnered with international organisations to secure employment opportunities abroad,” Ageng’o added.
Collins Owino, an official from NYOTA, said the National Employment Authority (NEA) would facilitate labour mobility for beneficiaries seeking overseas jobs in countries such as Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.
He also highlighted the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), which validates the skills of workers in fields like construction, plumbing, and beauty services.
“NITA will assess and certify these skills, giving workers formal recognition,” Owino said.
More than 1,500 youth attended the Muhoroni verification exercise, expressing enthusiasm about joining the NYOTA programme and benefiting from its business support funding.
By Robert Ojwang’ and Faith Lumumba
