By Elijah Odanga
The government has kicked off the nationwide rollout of the NYOTA Project’s business training and support component, following a successful launch last Friday at the Mumias Sports Complex in Kakamega County.
The launch marked the official disbursement of business start-up capital to beneficiaries from the Western Cluster — comprising Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, and Busia counties — who had successfully completed mandatory business training.
According to the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development, 12,155 beneficiaries received a total of KSh 303.8 million, with each accessing KSh 22,000 through their NYOTA Pochi la Biashara accounts. Of this amount, KSh 3,000 was automatically deducted for savings — 30% as short-term savings and 70% as long-term, in line with the project’s structure.
Principal Secretary for MSMEs Susan Mang’eni, said the savings model is designed to encourage financial discipline and cushion businesses against future shocks. “The saving component will also help beneficiaries secure additional financing from mainstream financial institutions,” she added.
Following the initial disbursement, beneficiaries from the Western Cluster will undergo a two-month mentorship program under Business Development Service (BDS) providers, followed by a three-day advanced classroom training aimed at linking them to the broader business ecosystem. Afterward, they will receive their final tranche of capital and continue with a final two-month mentorship phase.
The NYOTA Project aims to empower over 100,000 vulnerable youth across all 1,450 wards in Kenya, with at least 70 beneficiaries per ward. Additionally, 5,000 refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab camps, along with another 5,000 individuals from host communities, will benefit from the initiative.
The PS noted that the refugee intake process in Kakuma and Dadaab is nearly complete, with training scheduled to begin once registration concludes.
With the Western rollout complete, the program now shifts focus to 25 other counties beginning Thursday, November 14, 2025. These include Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Isiolo, Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado, Nandi, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, and Bomet.
Training sessions, lasting four days, will take place at 222 constituency-level centers across 151 constituencies and 754 wards. Attendance for at least three days will be mandatory for participants to qualify for the start-up funds. A total of 63,231 beneficiaries are expected to participate in this phase.
Disbursement of start-up capital will follow immediately after the training sessions, with the Ministry pledging full transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Training for the remaining 18 counties, including Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a, Mombasa, and others, will be conducted at a later stage.
