The Principal Secretary, State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Susan Mang’eni, has announced the extension of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT) deadline from Friday, October 24, 2025 to Saturday, October 25, 2025.
Speaking at Chepkanga Chief’s Office in Moiben Sub-county, Uasin Gishu County, during a validation exercise, PS Mang’eni said the extension was meant to ensure that all eligible applicants have equal opportunity to complete the process.
She emphasised the government’s commitment to inclusivity and fairness in implementing youth empowerment programmes across the country.
“We are unlocking the potential and investing in the future of our youth. This programme is about recognising their talents, giving them real work experience and helping them build sustainable businesses that can grow and create jobs,” said Mang’eni.
She added, “We want to make sure that no youth is left behind. This programme is for every ward, and we are working hard to reach those who need it most.”
The PS joined local leaders, officials from implementing agencies and officers from the National Government Administration (NGAO), for the ongoing nationwide physical validation exercise being conducted in all 290 constituency headquarters.
Mang’eni outlined the programmes’ three key components: Recognition of Prior Learning, On-the-Job Experience and Entrepreneurship Support.
The first phase involves identifying and certifying informal skills such as farming, tailoring and mechanics through the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), targeting 20,000 youth.
The second component connects young people with farms, companies and industries to gain hands-on job experience, expected to benefit 90,000 youth nationwide.
The third phase offers business training, mentorship and a Sh 50,000 startup grant to help young entrepreneurs launch and sustain small businesses that can grow into employers within their communities.
On her part, Moiben MP, Prof Phylis Bartoo lauded the government for initiating the NYOTA programme, describing it as a timely intervention to tackle unemployment among young people.
“As you can see, many young people have turned up today, which shows just how many lack a source of income or formal employment,” said Bartoo. “This initiative is very important because it gives the youth an opportunity to participate in the country’s development.”
She praised the programme’s structure, which includes business training before the rollout of financial support, and thanked the PS for extending the application period. “This gives those who might have missed the initial deadline a chance to apply,” she added.
Prof Bartoo also called for the initiative to be expanded beyond the initial phase to reach more beneficiaries.
“There is great excitement and enthusiasm among our young people. They are eager to do business and build their futures. We should make this a continuous process that creates entrepreneurs rather than job seekers,” she said.
The legislator revealed that her office has been organizing youth across Moiben into groups based on their interests ranging from agribusiness and car wash enterprises to clothing and milling ventures and has been providing support in collaboration with the Ministry.
She affirmed that participation is open to all, regardless of age, provided they have entrepreneurial potential.
“We identify them, onboard them and support them with equipment, with the help of the ministry,” she noted.
Prof Bartoo expressed optimism that continued collaboration between the national and county governments would help address challenges such as licensing and business space allocation for youth.
“We are all part of one government, and we must work together to support our young people. Empowering them is in the best interest of the nation,” she concluded.
The NYOTA Project is a government-led initiative targeting 820,000 unemployed youth aged 18 to 29 years, and up to 35 years for Persons with Disabilities, with a Form Four level of education or below.
The programme seeks to equip youth with employable skills, business training and financial support, with 70 beneficiaries selected from each ward across the country.
By Fredrick Maritim, Godfrey Kipkuley and Mariam Saleh
