If you’re a young Kenyan searching for a way out of joblessness, the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme is your new path from waiting to doing. This flagship government initiative, backed by the World Bank, offers skills, real work experience, and the means to start your own business.
What is NYOTA?
The Goal: To guide and empower young Kenyans (Nyota means “star” in Swahili) by turning job seekers into job creators.
The Reach: It aims to support over 800,000 youth across all 47 counties.
Who Can Apply?
NYOTA is primarily for:
Age: Youth aged 18–29.
Extension: Up to 35 years for those living with disabilities.
Priority: Given to the unemployed, those from low-income backgrounds, and those in rural/informal settlements.
What Does NYOTA Offer?
The programme is built on three key pillars:
Skills: You start with short, market-relevant training courses (e.g., welding, plumbing, digital freelancing).
Experience: The training is immediately followed by a real-world apprenticeship.
Financial Empowerment:
Seed Capital: Successful participants can access up to KSh 50,000 to start or grow a small business.
Savings: Partnerships with NSSF encourage participants to open savings accounts for long-term stability.
How to Register
Simple Application: Registration is straightforward, usually done through a simple USSD code on your mobile phone. Dial *254#
Fair Selection: Applications are vetted at the ward level to ensure fairness and guarantee that every ward has beneficiaries.
Why It Matters
NYOTA is a restoration of dignity and a statement that the youth matter. It’s a comprehensive model that combines training, work experience, and enterprise support with crucial private sector involvement—a necessary step to ensure what you learn has real market value.
Kenya’s youth are the majority. If you are between 18 and 35 and ready to change your story, this is your opportunity to gain the skills and capital to thrive. Act now.
