Youth have been urged to take advantage of the Sh5 billion National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, which aims to uplift their lives through job creation and entrepreneurship support.
The Principal Secretary for Defence, Patrick Mariru, who presided over the official launch of the Nyota project in Nanyuki, Laikipia County on Monday, said the government is committed to improving the livelihoods of young people across the country.
Mariru explained that the programme, jointly implemented by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank, will provide youth with grants of Sh50,000 each to start small businesses and become self-reliant.
“This is a well-thought-out plan by the government in partnership with the World Bank. It specifically targets youth to empower them to start income-generating ventures. Each successful applicant will receive Sh50,000,” said the PS.
He further noted that the application window will run for six days and urged eligible youth to dial *254# and follow the prompts to apply.
The PS added that the initiative offers three key pathways: recognition of prior learning, on-the-job experience, and entrepreneurship support.
“In Laikipia County alone, about 1,050 youth will benefit from this fund to start businesses. It’s a transformative programme targeting unemployed youth with secondary education or below,” he stated.
Mariru emphasized that the programme is part of the government’s broader agenda to tackle youth unemployment by equipping young people with practical skills and financial support to create sustainable livelihoods.
The nationwide rollout of the exercise began on Monday.
By Muturi Mwangi
