The government has called upon young people in Taita Taveta County to take full advantage of the government’s Sh5 billion National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme, reminding them that the application window closes on Monday, October 13, 2025.
Speaking during Mazingira Day celebrations at Mwanyambo Primary School in Voi, Labour and Skills Development PS, Shadrack Mwadime emphasised that the national government has specifically designed the programme to transform the lives of the unemployed youth across the country.
“The government is doing this to help the youth so that they can become self-employed,” said Mwadime, adding that the main aim is to change the mentality of the youth to become entrepreneurs.
The PS stressed that success in business depends largely on mindset, noting that entrepreneurship is like a culture that, if nurtured well, can become significant.
“We want our children to put business first, and it is us as leaders who can push them to change their mindset that business is not something hard.
Even if you start with Sh10,000, it is possible to succeed. You only need a little seed capital and you can grow as a businessperson,” he stated.
The NYOTA programme, is a government of Kenya initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented across all 47 counties.
The programme specifically targets vulnerable youth aged 18 to 29 years, with special provisions extending eligibility to 35 years for persons with disabilities.
Central to the programme is a substantial commitment to youth entrepreneurship, with beneficiaries who want to run business enterprises receiving a capital injection of Sh50,000 to boost their ventures and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Beyond financial support, the programme provides mentorship, market linkages, and certification that enhance credibility and employability in the job market.
Mwadime urged the youth in Taita Taveta County to embrace the programme so that, as it happens in other parts of the country, they too can be part of it.
He added that it is not a must for business people to come from outside when locals can also venture into business and succeed.
The PS directed them to use the *USSD Code 245# and follow the prompts before Monday, which is the deadline.
However, county leaders have expressed concern about the low registration from Taita Taveta during the programme’s initial phase.
The urgency of the registration message has been echoed by both national and county officials, who are determined to ensure higher participation in this Second Phase, which reopened its application portal on October 6th.
The PS revealed that there are many youth in the area with different skills in various fields who will also benefit from the NYOTA Programme through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where they will be given certificates so that when they apply for jobs, they can easily secure them.
He cautioned that having only a passport would not help because those who wish to go abroad require certificates to qualify for jobs in the diaspora.
“Those who want to get mentorship are also considered in the programme, and we urge the youth to apply so that they can be given mentors who will walk with them throughout their journey as they grow,” Mwadime added.
The programme’s structure encompasses three main components, designed to create a holistic empowerment framework.
The skilling component focuses on certification and recognition of prior learning to improve employability among youth.
The business development support nurtures entrepreneurship through capital provision and mentorship, while the savings component is designed to encourage financial discipline and saving habits among beneficiaries, ensuring long-term financial stability beyond the initial capital injection.
Eligible applicants must be aged between 18 and 29 years, possess a maximum education level of Form Four, and be either unemployed or underemployed.
For persons with disabilities, the age limit extends to 35 years, demonstrating the programme’s commitment to inclusivity.
A key feature emphasised by programme officials is the transparency of the selection process. The selection is automated and data-driven, ensuring no human interference, with shortlisting handled digitally, to give every eligible applicant an equal opportunity.
Deputy Governor (DG) Christine Kilalo, who also spoke at the event, addressed local entrepreneurs involved in tree nursery businesses, urging them to register with the Department of Environment in the County to benefit from government support.
“If you are alone and you have not come out boldly, it’s not easy to get help,” she said, noting that those already involved in tree nursery businesses should ensure they expand to benefit more, advising them not to depend entirely on grants for growth.
She emphasised that business grows through the reinvestment of funds that one already has. This is something that only needs steady steps so that you can grow in business because there are no shortcuts in business, added Kilalo.
By Arnold Linga Masila
