The government has expanded the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme to Northern Kenya as it rolls out the second phase of the youth empowerment initiative targeting 122,203 young entrepreneurs across the country.
The programme, backed by KSh3.06 billion, will this week begin reaching beneficiaries in Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Marsabit counties, marking the first time the initiative has been extended to the region.
According to the government, the expansion follows the success of the programme’s first phase, which largely focused on Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado counties, where thousands of young entrepreneurs received business training, mentorship and start-up grants.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale will oversee the rollout in Garissa, Environment Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa will lead activities in Wajir, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho will supervise Mandera, while Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo will coordinate implementation in Marsabit.
The programme will then move to Western Kenya, covering Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega and Vihiga under Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, before expanding to the Central Rift region, where Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will oversee activities in Baringo, Nakuru and Nyandarua.
Along the Coast, entrepreneurs from Mombasa, Kwale and Taita Taveta will participate in the Lower Coast Cluster under Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, while those from Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River will be covered by the Upper Coast Cluster led by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
Under the second phase, 33,269 first-time beneficiaries will receive start-up grants, while 88,934 entrepreneurs from the first phase will receive a second round of financing to expand their businesses.
The government said the programme has attracted overwhelming interest, with more than 2.5 million applications received from young Kenyans seeking business support.
“Phase II marks the evolution of NYOTA from supporting business creation to accelerating business growth,” the programme statement said.
Officials said the second phase could help create between 150,000 and 250,000 additional jobs by strengthening micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.
“The next chapter of NYOTA is about creating an enabling environment where successful entrepreneurs can continue to thrive,” the statement added.
The government also plans to work with county governments to reduce licensing barriers, establish a unique identity for NYOTA entrepreneurs and strengthen access to financing through the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund, Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) and the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) programme.
