50,000 Kenyan youths to receive KSh 22,000 NYOTA grants starting Jan. 8
By Chemtai Kirui
Nairobi, Jan. 7 — The government will begin disbursing business start-up grants under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) youth empowerment program on Thursday, targeting nearly 50,000 young people across 27 counties, according to a government statement.
The second phase of the rollout will run from Jan. 8 to Jan. 16 and will benefit youths who completed mandatory business skills training, according to a statement by Susan Mang’eni, principal secretary at the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development.
Each beneficiary will receive KSh 22,000 deposited into a digital business wallet, with an additional KSh 3,000 placed into a savings account managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), bringing the total support per youth to KSh 25,000 in the first tranche.
Counties covered in the second phase include Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, West Pokot, Nakuru, Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Baringo, Laikipia, Isiolo, Samburu, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, Nairobi, Kiambu and Kajiado.
Disbursement and mentorship events will be held in Eldoret, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Nyeri, Meru, Machakos and Nairobi, and will be presided over by President William Ruto, the statement said.
The World Bank-financed NYOTA project is expected to support more than 100,000 vulnerable youths nationwide, with a minimum of 70 beneficiaries per ward across the country’s 1,450 wards.
The program targets unemployed and underemployed youth aged 18 to 29, and up to 35 years for persons with disabilities.
The first phase of the business grant rollout was conducted in November 2025 in the western region, covering Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia and Bungoma counties. A total of 12,155 beneficiaries received KSh 25,000 each, resulting in a total disbursement of KSh 303.9 million, the government said.
NYOTA is a five-year government initiative designed to tackle youth unemployment by combining skills training, enterprise support and savings. It is coordinated by the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy and implemented through multiple agencies, including the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority and the National Employment Authority.
Beyond the initial grant, beneficiaries will undergo a two-month mentorship program led by business development experts and local entrepreneurs, followed by a second phase of training to prepare them for a final tranche of funding.
Successful participants are expected to receive up to KSh 50,000 in total start-up capital, disbursed in two installments.
The project also includes apprenticeship placements, certification of informal skills, digital training to help youth access government procurement opportunities, and a matched savings scheme under NSSF’s “Haba Haba” program.
Mang’eni said the funds were intended to support viable businesses developed during training and should not be treated as handouts.
The government said the schedule for a third phase of disbursement covering 16 additional counties, including parts of the Coast, Nyanza and North Eastern regions, would be announced later
