By Staff Writer | Wajir Today | Monday, 6 October  2025

The Principal Secretary for the State Department for Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Ummi Bashir, on Monday spearheaded the rollout of the NYOTA Project in Wajir County, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to tackle youth unemployment and drive economic inclusion across the country.

The event, held in Wajir town, brought together senior county officials, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), and local leaders who pledged their support for the initiative.

The NYOTA Project, a programme under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),  is designed to empower vulnerable youth through practical, skills-based, and sustainable interventions. It seeks to reach more than 820,000 young people nationwide, equipping them with the tools and opportunities to build meaningful livelihoods.

Speaking during the launch, PS Bashir said the project underscores the government’s firm commitment to addressing youth unemployment through an inclusive approach that links skills development, entrepreneurship, and social protection.

“The NYOTA Project is more than a programme, it is a national movement to unlock the potential of Kenya’s youth, ignite enterprise at the grassroots, and build a prosperous, self-reliant nation,” she said.

The NYOTA initiative comprises four key components aimed at transforming the lives of young people across all counties.

First, it focuses on improving youth employability by enhancing technical and socio-emotional skills, offering on-the-job training, and recognising informal learning through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) framework. It will also integrate Labour Market Information Systems (LMIS) to better match skills with available opportunities.

Secondly, the project will increase employment opportunities through start-up capital and business development support. Under this component, 70 youth in every ward will receive grants of KSh 50,000 each to start or expand small businesses, a move expected to stimulate entrepreneurship and local job creation.

The third component promotes youth savings and social protection, encouraging participation in the Haba Haba scheme and introducing a maternity income replacement benefit to support young mothers.

The project  is also envisioned to strengthen employment systems and digital skilling, enhancing the capacity of counties and institutions to deliver youth programmes while equipping young people with digital literacy skills to engage effectively with government systems.