The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project officially launched its County stakeholder Sensitization forum today at the Mama Grace Onyango Social Center in Kisumu County, where Principal Secretary or Children Services CPA. Carren Ageng’o delivered a stern call to action to grassroots leaders.
PS. Ageng’o oversaw the launch of the World Bank-funded, five-year national rollout, a transformative $820,000 initiative targeting over 820,000 vulnerable youth across the country with opportunities for jobs, skills, and savings. The PS emphasized that NYOTA is a flagship commitment under the President’s leadership, directly supporting the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by enabling young people to “learn, to earn, and to save.”
While outlining the ambitious project pillars—Employability, Job Creation, Savings & Welfare (including the Haba Haba Scheme and a maternity benefit for young women), and System Capacity—PS Ageng’o cautioned against low uptake and stressed that low attendance at mandatory training sessions is directly jeopardizing the project’s success. The PS was blunt, stating that non-participation would lead to the loss of KES. 50,000 per youth.
“I therefore call upon the area leaders to ensure 100% participation,” the PS stressed, urging stakeholders to intensify efforts to mobilize eligible youth aged 18 to 29 years (up to 35 for Persons with Disabilities). She further called for transparent, merit-based applications and cautioned against submitting duplicate entries. The PS acknowledged that NYOTA is about “hope, empowerment, and action,” urging all partners to collaborate to ensure every youth’s future is bright.”
County leadership was on hand to pledge the County Government support for the national initiative. Hon. Beatrice Odongo, CECM for Sports, Culture, Gender, and Youth Affairs, represented the Kisumu Governor and encouraged local youth to take full advantage of the program.
“Youths are privileged to have such projects rolled down by the National Government, and they should come out in large numbers and apply for the funds because these projects will empower them to build their own businesses, creating self-employment,” Hon. Odongo said.
Her counterpart, Hon. Farida Salim, CECM for Trade, Tourism, Industry, and Marketing, affirmed the County dedication to fostering a favorable business environment, stating the County is committed to creating an atmosphere where youths can “do business with dignity.”
The high-level forum brought together a diverse group of attendees, including the Regional Commissioner, County Commissioner, Administrative officers, representatives from the offices of the Kisumu Senator and Women Representative, County Chief Officer for Public Communication, directors from various state departments, implementing agencies, youth representatives, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).