First NYOTA entrepreneurship classes roll out in four counties
CS Co-operatives And Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya (centre) addressing the media during the launch of trainings in the four counties. Photo/Courtesy
The government has rolled out the first phase of youth entrepreneurship training under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, a five-year programme supported by the World Bank to give vulnerable youths a fair chance at building sustainable livelihoods.
The inaugural trainings began on 15th September 2025 in Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia counties.
Sessions will run for a week, after which participants will undergo two months of mentorship to prepare them for business management.
Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives And Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Mr Wycliffe Oparanya, said the project is designed to provide a strong foundation for young people to establish lasting enterprises.
“This project is about laying strong foundations for young people to earn, save and build enterprises that will sustain them for years to come,” Mr Oparanya told the press.
The initiative targets more than 800,000 young people aged between 18 and 29, and up to 35 years for persons with disabilities. It focuses on those with limited education and few economic opportunities.
The programme aims to create 110,000 entrepreneurs, certify 20,000 artisans, connect 90,000 youth to jobs, and train 600,000 in savings and access to government procurement opportunities.
“We are focusing on young people who often miss out on opportunities because of limited education and lack of access to resources. NYOTA is about giving them a fair chance,” Mr Oparanya added.
Among its interventions are skills development, apprenticeships, start-up financing, and structured savings through the Haba Haba scheme managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
Mr Oparanya explained that the rollout plan ensures every ward in Kenya benefits.
“Each ward will have 70 young people receiving start-up capital of Sh50,000 and guidance to build businesses that can grow and employ others.”
Training in the remaining seven clusters of the country will follow in quick succession, with start-up funds disbursed once the classroom sessions are completed.
The official launch of the programme, to be presided over by President William Ruto, is expected to take place in the Western region in the coming weeks.
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