BUNGOMA, Kenya — A total of 1,096 young people from Bungoma County are set to benefit from the government’s National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) program, a flagship initiative designed to equip youth with entrepreneurial skills and provide them with business funding.
The program, officially rolled out in Bungoma at the Kibabii Vocational Training Centre, targets young entrepreneurs with a structured blend of capacity-building training and financial support. Each successful applicant will receive a grant of Sh50,000, aimed at either boosting existing enterprises or supporting new start-ups.
Speaking during a youth business skills training session on Friday, Patrick Kamenyi, the NYOTA project coordinator, confirmed that Bungoma had secured 1,096 slots under the program’s first cohort.
“We are delighted to announce that 1,096 youths from Bungoma will benefit from the NYOTA program. This initiative is designed to give them an opportunity not only to access capital but also to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills for long-term success,” Kamenyi said.
According to Kamenyi, beneficiaries must first undergo comprehensive business and entrepreneurship training before any funds are disbursed. After this training, an initial tranche of Sh25,000 will be deposited into their accounts to jumpstart or strengthen their business ventures.
To promote accountability, sustainability, and mentorship, the program has identified and paired qualified trainers with beneficiaries across the county. These trainers will walk with the young entrepreneurs throughout the project, offering technical guidance and business support.
Three months after the first disbursement, beneficiaries will undergo a three-day capacity-building session to evaluate progress, tackle challenges, and refine business strategies. Only then will the final Sh25,000 tranche be released.
“We have carefully matched trainers with the beneficiaries so that the youths can receive consistent mentorship, encouragement, and technical support,” Kamenyi explained.
The NYOTA program is part of a Sh5 billion government youth empowerment fund targeting Kenyans aged 18–29 years, with special provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) aged 18–35 years. Nationally, at least 50,000 youths are expected to benefit from the initiative.
Kamenyi emphasized that the support is strictly a grant, not a loan.
“This is money allocated by the government of Kenya to help young people start or expand businesses. Beneficiaries will not be required to repay it,” he said.
For many young entrepreneurs, the timing could not be better. Nancy Njeri, a poultry farmer from Bungoma, said the program will enable her to expand her agribusiness.
“Currently, I am running a small poultry business. With this grant, I will be able to expand operations, increase production and create more income. I am grateful to the government for prioritizing the youth,” Njeri said.
Other beneficiaries welcomed the program, noting that it would cushion them from unemployment challenges while encouraging them to embrace entrepreneurship as a sustainable livelihood pathway.
As the rollout continues across the country, the NYOTA program is expected to transform the youth enterprise landscape, providing both the resources and the mentorship needed to create a new generation of resilient entrepreneurs.
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