NYOTA Project Rolls Out KSh303 Million Start-Up Capital in Western Kenya as Nationwide Training Begins

The government has officially launched the NYOTA Project, marking a major milestone in its mission to economically empower vulnerable youth across the country. The launch took place on Friday, 7th November 2025, at the Mumias Sports Complex in Kakamega County, and also signaled the beginning of the disbursement of start-up capital to beneficiaries in the Western cluster—Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia counties.

A total of 12,155 beneficiaries from the region received KSh303,875,000 in start-up capital. Each beneficiary accessed KSh22,000 through their NYOTA Pochi la Biashara, with KSh3,000 set aside as mandatory savings. Of this savings amount, 30% will be available for short-term access while 70% will be locked in as long-term savings for the duration of the project.

Following the launch, beneficiaries in the Western cluster will now enter a two-month mentorship and handholding phase conducted by Business Development experts. This will be followed by a second round of three-day classroom training aimed at linking them to the wider business ecosystem. Upon completion, beneficiaries will receive their final tranche of start-up capital and proceed to a final two-month mentorship program.

The savings component of the programme is designed to build a culture of financial discipline among the youth, providing a buffer against business shocks and helping de-risk their ventures. The savings will also serve as a form of securitization, positioning beneficiaries for improved access to financing from mainstream financial institutions.

The NYOTA Project targets to empower over 100,000 vulnerable youth across all the 1,450 wards in Kenya, with a minimum of 70 beneficiaries per ward. Additionally, the initiative will support 5,000 refugees in the Kakuma and Dadaab camps, alongside another 5,000 beneficiaries from host communities. Intake and verification for refugee beneficiaries in both camps are currently being finalized, after which training will commence.

As part of the national rollout, today, 14th November 2025, the government will begin simultaneous NYOTA training sessions in 25 counties, including Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Isiolo, Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado, Nandi, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, and Bomet. This phase covers 151 constituencies and 754 wards, with an expected 63,231 youth beneficiaries set to undergo the mandatory four-day training—of which attendance of at least three days is required to qualify for funding.

To support the rollout, 222 training centres have been mapped across the participating constituencies, with larger constituencies hosting multiple centres. Beneficiaries are expected to train within the constituency they selected during the application process and are encouraged to join the nearest designated centre where multiple venues exist.

Start-up capital disbursement will begin immediately after each group completes its classroom training.

The remaining 18 counties—including Nairobi, Kiambu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Marsabit, Samburu, Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa—are scheduled to begin their training towards the end of next week.

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