State updates NYOTA disbursement schedule for youth beneficiaries

The exercise will be presided over by President William Ruto.

Beneficiaries from Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties will receive their grants on January 22, 2026 in Meru.

Those from Kilifi, Lamu and Tana River counties will be served on January 27, in Kilifi.

For Taita Taveta, Kwale and Mombasa will be disbursed on January 28, in Mombasa.

“Disbursement dates and venues for the remaining counties: Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira will be communicated in due course,” a statement read.

The NYOTA Project, short for National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement, is a government initiative designed to support youth through business financing, mentorship and skills development.

Beneficiaries of the Business Support Component receive start-up capital to launch or expand small enterprises, with access conditional on completing the required training.

Phase Two of the programme follows a nationwide training initiative and builds on earlier disbursements across other counties.

The project has a structured mentorship and business development component, aimed at equipping youth with the knowledge and guidance to grow sustainable businesses.

Officials have urged beneficiaries to adhere to the schedule and to attend their assigned venues, emphasizing that updates will be shared only through official NYOTA channels.

They also cautioned the public against fraudulent schemes and misinformation circulating online.

Beneficiaries are advised to stay informed through the official NYOTA website and local administration offices for further updates on disbursement schedules and requirements

Through initiatives like NYOTA, the government seeks to create employment opportunities and strengthen entrepreneurship among young people, ensuring they are equipped with both the capital and the skills needed to thrive in business.

The programme remains a key pillar of Kenya’s youth empowerment strategy, targeting thousands of young entrepreneurs nationwide and contributing to economic growth at the grassroots level.

The programme offers training, grants of up to Sh50,000, apprenticeships with stipends, and promotes savings for up to 820,000 young people aged 18 to 29, with a focus on digital skills, creative industries and business development.

Each beneficiary is getting an initial business start-up capital of Sh25,000 to establish or expand their businesses.

Of this money, Sh22,000 iscredited directly to each beneficiary’s Pochi la Biashara accounts, while the remaining Sh3,000 is deposited into their Haba na Haba Savings Account managed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

In the second phase of the NYOTA project, beneficiaries will receive another Sh25,000, bringing the total for each of the young entrepreneurs to Sh50,000.