The government has issued a stern warning to Kenyans against fraudulent apps claiming to be linked to the NYOTA project, ahead of the second batch of Ksh50,000 grants. In a notice on Wednesday, November 12, NYOTA clarified that these apps are fake and seek to defraud youth by asking for registration fees.
According to NYOTA, the program does not operate through any mobile fund app. All official communications are shared only via the program’s verified social media platforms. The notice urged youth to stay vigilant, advising those interested in the program to visit a NYOTA office, their nearest sub-county youth office, or dial *254# for guidance.
The NYOTA project, a five-year initiative funded by the World Bank, targets unemployed and vulnerable youth, including persons with disabilities, across Kenya. It aims to empower them through Ksh50,000 grants to start business ventures, tackling income insecurity and unemployment in the process.
Since its approval by Cabinet in July, the program has received applications from hundreds of thousands of young Kenyans. However, scammers have continued to exploit the initiative by offering fake registration services or claiming to provide early access to the grants for a fee. The latest fraudulent apps are the most recent attempt to mislead prospective beneficiaries.
President William Ruto confirmed on Tuesday, November 12, that an additional Ksh4.4 billion will be disbursed to NYOTA grantees starting next week. Training for selected beneficiaries is scheduled to begin this Friday, with a special focus on Nairobi, where 6,000 enterprises are expected to receive Ksh300 million to scale up their ventures.
NYOTA officials urge youth to avoid third-party apps and rely solely on official NYOTA channels to access information and register for the program. Staying informed through verified platforms is crucial to prevent falling victim to these ongoing scams.
