President William Ruto has unveiled a nationwide youth empowerment initiative under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme. The flagship project, valued at Ksh5 billion in partnership with the World Bank, will see thousands of young Kenyans benefit from direct grants, training, and business support.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Friday, October 3, 2025, Ruto announced that his administration is taking a whole-of-government approach to ensure transparency and inclusivity in rolling out the programme. He emphasized that leaders from the executive, legislature, and county governments would be involved to guarantee smooth implementation.
“This is a deliberate step towards addressing youth employment, empowerment, and engagement,” Ruto stated.
How the Programme Works
The NYOTA programme targets 100,000 young people across the country, with 70 beneficiaries from each of Kenya’s 1,450 wards. Each successful applicant will receive a Ksh50,000 grant to launch entrepreneurial ventures and grow small businesses.
Beyond the grants, the initiative has broader components:
- 90,000 youth will undergo job training and work experience placements.
- 20,000 youth will benefit from recognition of prior learning.
- 600,000 youth will be trained on Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO).
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) PS Susan Mang’eni explained that the programme is designed to improve livelihoods, promote savings culture, and enhance access to markets for young entrepreneurs. She stressed that the project is gender-inclusive, targeting 50-50 parity between male and female beneficiaries.
Next Steps
On Monday, October 6, 2025, Principal Secretaries are expected to meet with governors, MPs, MCAs, and chiefs to sensitise them on the rollout and align efforts nationwide.
According to Ruto, NYOTA is part of a broader youth agenda that also includes affordable housing, labour mobility, and digital jobs aimed at equipping the next generation with opportunities to thrive in enterprise and innovation.
