The government has suspended the nationwide verification of NYOTA project applications following President William Ruto’s declaration of a national mourning period after the death of Kenya’s former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, on Wednesday, October 15.
In a statement released on Thursday, Principal Secretary for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Susan Mang’eni, confirmed the decision, noting that it was made in respect of the Presidential Proclamation on national mourning.
“The State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development wishes to inform the public, all Principal Secretaries, elected leaders, all applicants of the NYOTA project, and other stakeholders that the national verification exercise scheduled for Friday, October 17, across the 290 constituencies, has been postponed,” read part of the statement.
The verification exercise was expected to bring together Principal Secretaries, elected leaders, and National Government Administration Officers under a Whole-of-Government Approach to ensure transparency and inclusivity. The ministry will announce new dates for the verification once the mourning period concludes and Raila Odinga is laid to rest.
NYOTA, a five-year World Bank-funded initiative, aims to empower young Kenyans by tackling unemployment, income insecurity, and low savings. The programme seeks to provide Ksh50,000 in startup grants to 70 young people from each of Kenya’s 1,450 wards to help them launch small business ventures.
President Ruto, in his proclamation, declared a seven-day national mourning period in honour of Raila Odinga’s legacy and contributions to Kenya’s democracy.
“In honour of the life and times of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until sunset of the day of his interment,” the President stated.
Ruto also suspended all public engagements and dispatched a high-level delegation led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to India to oversee the repatriation of Raila’s body.
