The Government has launched the second phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme in Marsabit County, with 1,680 young people receiving business support grants aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, skills development and job creation.
Speaking during the national launch presided over by President William Ruto, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo said the programme is transforming the lives of thousands of young Kenyans by equipping them with startup capital, practical skills and opportunities to participate meaningfully in the economy.
Dr Omollo said the programme targets youth aged between 18 and 29 years, and up to 35 years for persons with disabilities, with implementation taking place across all 1,450 wards in the country.
In Marsabit County, 1,570 beneficiaries received the initial Sh25,000 business support grant during the first phase, while the second phase has expanded to 1,680 beneficiaries, including young people joining the initiative for the first time.
“The success stories we are witnessing across Marsabit and the country demonstrate that when young people are given opportunities, they can transform their lives, support their families and contribute to national development. We are proud that more than 90 per cent of beneficiaries have successfully invested the first grant in productive business ventures,” Dr Omollo said.
Under the second phase, beneficiaries will receive an additional Sh25,000 business support grant, with Sh3,000 earmarked for the NSSF Haba Haba Savings Scheme to encourage a culture of saving and strengthen financial resilience among young entrepreneurs.
The Principal Secretary commended the Marsabit County Government for creating a supportive environment for youth enterprises, particularly by making business licences freely accessible to young entrepreneurs.
He urged other county governments to emulate Marsabit by working closely with the National Government to create an enabling environment for youth-led businesses.
“When our young people prosper, our counties prosper, and ultimately the entire country prospers. The partnership between the National Government and County Governments is critical in ensuring that young entrepreneurs succeed,” he said.
Dr Omollo also highlighted other components of the NYOTA Programme, including on-the-job experience placements that provide practical workplace skills and the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative, which enables skilled artisans such as mechanics, plumbers and technicians to receive formal certification for competencies acquired through experience.
He said the programme forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to address youth unemployment by connecting young people to skills development, entrepreneurship opportunities and employment pathways.
The Principal Secretary encouraged beneficiaries to take advantage of other government empowerment initiatives, including the Hustler Fund, the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Women Enterprise Fund and procurement opportunities available through both the National and County Governments.
He challenged the beneficiaries to build sustainable enterprises capable of creating jobs for others, describing entrepreneurship as a key pillar in accelerating economic growth and expanding opportunities for Kenya’s youth.
The launch of the second phase of the NYOTA Programme marks another milestone in the Government’s efforts to promote youth empowerment, enterprise development and inclusive economic transformation.
The event was attended by Petroleum Principal Secretary Kello Harsama and Marsabit Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo.
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