Gov't reveals number of Kenyans who have received NYOTA funds

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni has announced that a total of 12,155 individuals have received funding from the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project.

In an update on Thursday, November 13, PS Mang’eni said the government has disbursed a total of Ksh303,875,000 to the 12,155 beneficiaries.

She noted that each beneficiary received Ksh22,000, with Ksh3,000 being deducted and channeled towards mandatory savings.

“A total of 12,155 beneficiaries received a total disbursement of Ksh303,875,000. The beneficiaries accessed Ksh22,000, each through their NYOTA Pochi la Biashara, with Ksh3,000 being a mandatory deduction for savings, 30% short-term, and can be accessed from time to time, while 70% long-term is tied to the tenure of the project, respectively,” read the statement in part.

PS Mang’eni said the beneficiaries from the Western cluster, which includes Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia counties, will now proceed to a two-month handholding mentorship session by Business Development experts.

Following the mentorship program, they will undergo a second BDS Classroom training for 3days aimed at linking them to the business ecosystem.

“At the completion of training, they will receive their last tranche of start capital and then be subjected to the final lap of mentorship for a period of 2 months,” she stated.

Meanwhile, the government will roll out a four-day training on Friday in 25 counties.

The counties include: Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, and Isiolo.

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Others are: Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado, Nandi, Siaya, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, and Bomet.

PS Mang’eni mentioned that selected beneficiaries have already received text messages notifying them of their successful selection.

“The disbursement of the start-up capital will follow immediately after the completion of the classroom training,” she added.

The training in the remaining 18 counties will commence towards the end of next week.

President Ruto launched the NYOTA project on November 7, 2025, in Mumias Sports Complex, Kakamega County.

The project aims to empower over 100,000 vulnerable youth across all 1,450 wards in Kenya, with at least 70 beneficiaries per ward.

The project also targets to benefit 5,000 refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps and an additional 5,000 for the host communities.