The NYOTA Project entered a new phase of national impact last Friday, 7th November 2025, with its official launch at the Mumias Sports Complex in Kakamega County. The event marked not only the unveiling of the program but also the commencement of start-up capital disbursements for the Western Cluster—Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia counties—whose beneficiaries have completed the mandatory business training.
In a milestone moment anchored in empowerment and forward momentum, 12,155 beneficiaries received a cumulative Ksh. 303,875,000 in start-up financing. Each participant accessed Kshs. 22,000 through their NYOTA Pochi la Biashara account. As part of the program’s resilience framework, Kshs. 3,000 was deducted as mandatory savings—30% accessible short-term and 70% locked in long-term for the duration of the project.
This savings component is a deliberate design choice to nurture a culture of financial discipline, strengthen the beneficiaries’ shock resilience, and provide a foundation for future access to formal financing by securitizing their emerging enterprises.
Structured Mentorship to Build Sustainable Businesses
With funding now disbursed, the Western Cluster beneficiaries transition into a two-month handholding and mentorship phase led by Business Development experts. This will be followed by a second three-day BDS classroom training focused on market linkages and ecosystem integration. Upon successful completion, beneficiaries will receive their final tranche of capital before embarking on the final two-month mentorship cycle.
NYOTA program issues mandatory directive to beneficiaries in 25 counties
This structured pathway ensures that young entrepreneurs not only start businesses but build ventures capable of surviving, growing, and scaling.
A Nationwide Vision: Empowering 100,000 Youth and Refugees
The NYOTA Project is engineered to reach over 100,000 vulnerable youth across all 1,450 wards in Kenya—targeting a minimum of 70 beneficiaries per ward. Additionally, the program will support 5,000 refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab, along with 5,000 members of the host communities. Intake for refugee beneficiaries is in its final stage, after which training will begin immediately.
Countrywide Training Rollout Begins
Today, 14th November 2025, NYOTA is launching simultaneous training across 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, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, and Bomet.
This phase covers 151 constituencies and 754 wards, with 63,231 youth beneficiaries expected to participate.
Training will run for four days, and participants must attend at least three to qualify for their start-up capital. All successful applicants have already received SMS notifications with details on their venues.
A total of 222 training centres have been mapped, ensuring accessibility. Beneficiaries in constituencies with multiple centres are encouraged to select the closest option—provided it is within their constituency of registration.
Start-up capital disbursement will begin immediately after the completion of training.
Remaining Counties Up Next
The final rollout phase covering 18 counties—Nairobi, Kiambu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Marsabit, Samburu, Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa—will commence toward the end of next week.
