NYOTA project raises beneficiary stipend to Sh 500 in 14 hardship counties
By Hebrews Rono (PCO)
The Government has increased the daily stipend for beneficiaries participating in the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project in 14 hardship counties from Sh 300 to Sh 500, in a move aimed at reducing financial barriers to training and ensuring more young people can fully participate in the programme.
Speaking as the induction of beneficiaries under the On-the-Job Experience (OJE) component commenced, Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Fikirini Jacobs said the enhanced stipend is intended to support transport and subsistence costs for youth attending the 20-day Socio-Emotional Skills Development (SESD) training.
The induction marks the official rollout of the programme across Lots 5, 6 and 7, covering the counties of Isiolo, Marsabit, Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, Baringo, Nandi, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Lamu, Mombasa, Kilifi, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir and Tana River.
According to the Principal Secretary, the increased stipend will benefit participants from the hardship counties of Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Laikipia, Tana River, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Samburu, Kilifi, Lamu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Isiolo, recognising the unique socio-economic and geographical challenges faced by young people in these regions.
In addition, young mothers enrolled in the programme will continue receiving an extra Sh 250 per day to cater for childcare services, reinforcing the Government's commitment to ensuring that parenting responsibilities do not prevent women from accessing training and employment opportunities.
"The enhanced support is designed to ensure that no eligible young person is left behind due to financial constraints. By easing transport and subsistence costs, we are enabling more youth to complete the training and prepare for meaningful employment," said the Principal Secretary.
The induction has recorded an encouraging response, with above-average turnout in several counties, reflecting growing confidence among young people in the opportunities presented by the NYOTA Project.
While some training centres reported lower attendance, mobilisation efforts are continuing to ensure all eligible beneficiaries are reached and enrolled.
During the 20-day SESD training, participants will build critical workplace competencies, including communication, teamwork, leadership, resilience, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, professionalism and interpersonal skills. These competencies are intended to complement technical expertise and prepare beneficiaries for success in modern workplaces.
Upon completing the classroom-based training, beneficiaries will transition into a five-month apprenticeship under experienced master craftsmen, where they will gain practical, industry-relevant experience through structured workplace learning and mentorship.
The NYOTA Project is one of the Government's flagship youth empowerment initiatives aimed at improving employability, promoting entrepreneurship and expanding economic opportunities for young Kenyans.
By combining socio-emotional skills training with practical workplace exposure, the programme seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment while preparing youth for sustainable livelihoods.
The Principal Secretary said the initiative aligns with President William Ruto's agenda of creating jobs, strengthening skills development and empowering young people to contribute meaningfully to Kenya's economic transformation.
He noted that investing in youth through quality training, mentorship and practical work experience is essential to building a skilled, resilient and future-ready workforce capable of driving innovation, productivity and sustainable national development.
As the programme continues to roll out across the 19 counties, the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every eligible beneficiary has access to quality training, adequate support and equal opportunities to realise their full potential through the NYOTA Project.