Relief for Youths as Govt Announces Date for Ksh 25,000 Second NYOTA Disbursement

Thousands of young Kenyans enrolled in the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme have received good news after the government confirmed when the remaining Ksh25,000 grant will be paid.

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) announced that beneficiaries will receive the second tranche of their startup funds by June 30, 2026.

The announcement comes after weeks of concern among beneficiaries who had been waiting for an update on the delayed payments.

Why the Payment Was Delayed

MSMEs Development Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni explained that the delay was caused by budget challenges that emerged after changes were made to the implementation of the programme.

According to the government, the NYOTA project was initially designed to be rolled out in phases. However, the huge number of applications received from young people across the country forced the government to review the plan.

Mang’eni said the changes increased budget requirements within a single financial year, leading to delays in the release of the second tranche.

Government Changed the Rollout Plan

The government, in consultation with President William Ruto and the World Bank, decided to implement the business support programme through a single nationwide intake instead of multiple phases.

This means all eligible applicants were considered at once rather than being selected in different batches over time.

Officials said the move was necessary because the programme attracted massive interest from Kenyan youth, with about two million applications received.

The government noted that processing applicants in phases would have caused even longer delays for many young people waiting for support.

Beneficiaries to Receive Full Ksh50,000

Under the programme, successful applicants are entitled to receive Ksh50,000 in startup support, paid in two installments.

Most beneficiaries have already received the first Ksh25,000. The government has now assured them that the remaining Ksh25,000 will be released by June 30, completing the full grant package.

The announcement is expected to bring relief to thousands of youths who have been uncertain about when the balance would be paid.

About the NYOTA Programme

NYOTA is a government initiative supported by the World Bank and aims to empower young people through business funding, skills development, and employment opportunities.

Apart from providing startup grants, the programme also supports youth training through the On-the-Job Experience (OJE) programme, which offers apprenticeship and workplace learning opportunities.

The government hopes the initiative will help thousands of young Kenyans start businesses, gain work experience, and improve their economic opportunities.

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