President William Ruto signs off on the NYOTA youth empowerment project at his Harambee House office on July 29, 2025. (Photo/State House FB).
By Daisy Okiring
Nairobi, Kenya: Ruto’s Cabinet has approved the roll-out of a new government initiative, the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, designed to combat youth unemployment and empower vulnerable groups with practical job skills.
The program, which launches officially in August 2025, will target 820,000 unemployed youth, including individuals living with disabilities. Backed by the World Bank, NYOTA will offer paid work experience, entrepreneurship support, and certification of existing skills under its multi-pronged structure.
Monthly stipends and job placements
A key feature of the program is paid on-the-job training for 90,000 young people across the country. Participants will receive Ksh.6,000 monthly stipends for placements lasting three to six months.
“The ongoing call for the on-the-job experience programme targets 90,000 youth… with monthly stipends of Ksh.6,000 deposited into Haba Haba savings accounts,” a Cabinet brief released Tuesday stated.
Applications for the placements are open from July 11 to August 15, 2025.
To ensure financial inclusion, the stipends will be channeled through government-linked micro-savings platforms, with the goal of instilling saving habits among the youth. The scheme is part of a broader government effort under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which emphasizes inclusive economic development and grassroots empowerment.
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Long-term vision amid job crisis
The NYOTA initiative arrives at a time of heightened concern over youth unemployment in Kenya. According to the World Bank, youth unemployment stood at 5.7% in 2024, with over 1 million young people entering the job market annually—most lacking formal skills or training.
The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) has also raised alarms about the economic consequences of rising youth joblessness, noting that 35% of the population comprises young people, many of whom remain outside the formal labor force.
“This is not just an employment project—it’s a social safety net and a springboard into self-reliance,” said an official familiar with the Cabinet discussions.
The government intends to use the NYOTA model as a foundation for broader labor market reforms, combining work readiness, enterprise development, and skills recognition as core pillars of national productivity.
One million applications received
According to insiders at the Ministry of Youth Affairs, more than one million applications had already been submitted by late July, showing the scale of demand and the urgency of youth-focused interventions.
The initiative also includes Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) certification for informal skills—ensuring even those without formal schooling can receive validation of their abilities.
NYOTA adds to a growing list of programs seeking to reduce unemployment by offering structured support for young people, particularly women and marginalized communities. The government maintains that the fight against joblessness will remain a top policy priority moving forward.
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