Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, Fikirini Jacobs, has called on Kenyan youth to take advantage of the reopened NYOTA program application portal and apply in large numbers.
Speaking in Kilifi during a grassroots leaders’ sensitization forum on the NYOTA program, Jacobs said that out of the 1.9 million youth who initiated applications, 1.6 million successfully completed the process, while about 300,000 did not. He noted that the figure remains relatively low given that young people make up over 60 percent of Kenya’s population.
“Although the NYOTA project had already begun, we are conducting sensitization midway after realizing that there were gaps in all pillars. Some wards had fewer than 10 applicants, yet the target is 70 youth per ward,” the PS said.
Jacobs urged leaders at all levels to cascade the information to grassroot communities to ensure that no youth is left behind in the transformative job creation initiative, which targets vulnerable young people at the base of the economic pyramid.
He explained that the program seeks to empower youth aged between 18 and 29 years by providing them with Sh50, 000 each to start or expand businesses.
“As leaders, we have a duty to ensure that every qualified young person benefits from the NYOTA program to enhance their economic stability,” the PS emphasized.
Kilifi Governor, Gideon Mung’aro, lauded the initiative, saying it would greatly benefit young people who possess practical skills but lack formal certificates to secure employment.
“This program has come at the right time. As a county, we have many young people, especially those involved in the blue economy, who have skills but lack the papers required for formal jobs,” Mung’aro said.
Deputy Majority Leader and Kilifi North MP Owen Baya echoed similar sentiments, noting that while NYOTA is a good initiative, there is also need to review policies guiding other empowerment programs such as the Hustler Fund.
Baya revealed that he is drafting a Bill seeking to transform the Hustler Fund from a loan facility into a grant-based model.
“Many people take loans and fail to repay, yet being blacklisted by the CRB does not deter them. It’s time we amended the law to make the Hustler Fund a grant,” the MP stated.
The grassroots sensitization exercise is currently ongoing in all 47 counties as part of the government’s commitment to ensure inclusivity, transparency, and effective implementation of the NYOTA project.
By Stephen Mrira
