The government has officially launched the Sh5 billion National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) programme, a long-awaited initiative set to support 100,000 young Kenyans with start-up capital, training, and mentorship.
The programme, first unveiled during International Youth Day celebrations in Kakamega County in August, had faced delays but is now ready for rollout.
President William Ruto confirmed the programme’s launch on Friday after meeting with Principal Secretaries at State House, Nairobi. “We are investing in our youth, unlocking opportunities, and driving enterprise and innovation across Kenya. This programme has taken time to align properly, but it is now ready to go,” he said.
The Nyota initiative, implemented in partnership with the World Bank, will provide Sh50,000 grants to 70 young people in each of Kenya’s 1,450 wards, enabling them to start small businesses.
Ahead of the rollout, Principal Secretaries will travel to all 47 counties on October 6 to meet governors, MPs, MCAs, and local leaders to ensure the programme is well understood and implemented smoothly.
President Ruto emphasised that involving leaders from the national and county governments, as well as legislators, would promote fairness and transparency. “Every young person deserves a fair chance. By engaging leaders at every level, we are ensuring that this process is transparent and that no one is left behind,” he said.
The programme’s first phase, announced in August, targets 54,000 youth for start-up grants and immediate skills training. In addition to financial support, Nyota will provide mentorship, access to business infrastructure, and guidance to scale small enterprises and create sustainable jobs.
Ruto also outlined additional components of the programme, including skills training for 90,000 youth to gain job experience, recognition of prior learning for 20,000, and training 600,000 youth on Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO).
Beneficiaries will also be enrolled in the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to help them save as they grow their enterprises.
“We are not just creating jobs; we are building future employers and long-term wealth creators for our nation,” the President said.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) PS Susan Mang’eni, under whose department the programme operates, said Nyota is aimed at improving youth employability and expanding access to markets, while fostering a culture of savings and entrepreneurship. “We target to benefit young people in all wards. It is gender-inclusive, with emphasis on 50-50 gender parity,” she said.
The government said it expects the Sh5 billion fund to revitalise youth enterprise, boost grassroots economies, and address rising unemployment across the country. With the programme now in motion, thousands of young Kenyans are set to access capital, skills, and mentorship that could transform their livelihoods.