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The National Assembly Committee on Social Protection has committed to championing the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, a five-year initiative aimed at boosting youth employability and entrepreneurship across Kenya.
Thika, Kenya – The National Assembly Committee on Social Protection has affirmed its commitment to spearheading youth empowerment through the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project. The committee's pledge came on Friday, October 3, 2025, following an appraisal of the flagship initiative.
Chaired by Thika Town Member of Parliament Alice Ng’ang’a, the committee emphasised the importance of not only training young people but also ensuring their meaningful absorption into the economy. This will be achieved through coordinated government support, strategic partnerships, and increased budgetary prioritisation. The committee previously raised concerns about potential duplication of efforts in a proposed women's empowerment policy, stressing the need to reinforce existing institutions rather than create parallel systems.
NYOTA is a five-year programme, jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank, designed to transform the lives of vulnerable youth. It targets over 820,000 young people aged 18-29, and up to 35 for persons with disabilities, with a focus on skills development, fostering a savings culture, and facilitating access to dignified work. The project aims to increase employment, earnings, and promote savings among its beneficiaries.
President William Ruto officially launched the NYOTA programme, a substantial KES 5 billion fund, on October 3, 2025. The initiative is expected to benefit 101,500 youths across 1,450 wards in Kenya, with KES 50,000 grants provided to 70 young people in each ward to start business ventures.
Already, more than 46,000 applicants have completed the Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test nationwide. Thousands of these applicants are now progressing to Business Development Services training and are being auto-enrolled into the National Social Security Fund’s (NSSF) Haba Haba scheme.
The Haba Haba scheme, launched by NSSF in November 2019, is a savings plan specifically designed for individuals in the informal sector. It allows members to save a minimum of KES 25 per day, with the option to withdraw 50% of their contributions after consistently contributing for a minimum of five years. The scheme was re-launched in October 2024 to include refugees and asylum seekers, promoting economic inclusion and social protection.
To ensure transparent and inclusive implementation, Principal Secretaries are scheduled to be deployed to all 47 counties on Monday, October 6, 2025. They will meet with governors, Members of Parliament, Members of County Assemblies, and local administrators to sensitise leaders and youth about the programme.
“With sustained commitment, we as a committee believe Kenya’s youth can and will be positioned as true drivers of economic resilience and inclusive growth,” stated MP Alice Ng’ang’a. Analysts suggest this parliamentary engagement could significantly influence public debate and policy execution, with calls for greater clarity on timelines, costs, and safeguards for the project.
While the NYOTA project holds significant promise for youth empowerment, stakeholders are urging for clear guidelines on its implementation. Potential risks include ensuring equitable distribution of resources across all counties and wards, maintaining transparency in the selection process, and effectively monitoring the long-term impact of the grants and training. The success of the project will also depend on robust coordination between national and county governments, as well as private sector partners.
The coming weeks will be crucial for observing the nationwide rollout of the NYOTA project, particularly the sensitisation efforts by Principal Secretaries and the initial disbursement of grants. Attention will also be on how the government addresses concerns regarding transparency and the effective integration of youth into the formal economy.
