Over 12,000 Kenyans Receive NYOTA Funding in Government Youth Empowerment Drive
The government has disbursed over Ksh300 million to youth beneficiaries under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project.
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Principal Secretary, Susan Mang’eni, has revealed that 12,155 Kenyans have so far received funding through the NYOTA initiative.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 13, PS Mang’eni confirmed that a total of Ksh303,875,000 had been distributed to the beneficiaries. Each participant received Ksh22,000, with Ksh3,000 automatically deducted and channelled into a mandatory savings scheme designed to support both short-term and long-term financial growth.
“A total of 12,155 beneficiaries received a total disbursement of Ksh303,875,000. The beneficiaries accessed Ksh22,000 each through their NYOTA Pochi la Biashara, with Ksh3,000 being a mandatory deduction for savings. Thirty percent is allocated for short-term access, while 70 percent remains tied to the project tenure,” the statement read in part.
PS Mang’eni further highlighted that beneficiaries from the Western cluster — covering Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia counties — will now participate in a two-month mentorship program led by business development experts. This will be followed by a three-day BDS classroom training, designed to link participants with the wider business ecosystem.
“At the completion of training, they will receive their last tranche of start-up capital and then undergo a final two-month mentorship session,” she said.
The government is also preparing to roll out a four-day training program starting Friday across 25 counties, including Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Isiolo, Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado, Nandi, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, and Bomet.
PS Mang’eni noted that selected beneficiaries have already received notifications via text messages, with start-up capital to be disbursed immediately after classroom training. Training in the remaining 18 counties is scheduled to commence towards the end of next week.
The NYOTA project, launched by President William Ruto on November 7, 2025, at Mumias Sports Complex in Kakamega County, aims to empower over 100,000 vulnerable youth across all 1,450 wards in Kenya, targeting at least 70 beneficiaries per ward. The initiative also includes 5,000 refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab camps, alongside an additional 5,000 individuals in host communities.
Approved by the World Bank Board on June 15, 2023, the NYOTA project is funded as a loan to the Republic of Kenya with a total cost of USD 200 million and a commitment amount of USD 229 million. It is jointly implemented by the State Department for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy (SDYACE), the National Employment Authority (NEA), the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), and the State Department for Labour and Skills Development (SDL).
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Over 12,000 Kenyans Receive NYOTA Funding in Government Youth Empowerment Drive