A record 804,125 young Kenyans are set to undergo physical verification across all 290 constituencies starting Friday, October 24, 2025, as the government begins the final stage of selecting 100,000 youth entrepreneurs under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project.
The ambitious five-year, World Bank–supported initiative aims to transform livelihoods for at least 820,000 vulnerable youth aged 18 to 29 and up to 35 for those with disabilities across all 1,450 wards in Kenya. It targets youth with up to Form Four education, who are currently unemployed and not previous beneficiaries of KYEOP.
The verification exercise will be led by principal secretaries and witnessed by elected leaders and National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) in each constituency, in a move the government says will guarantee transparency, fairness, and gender balance in the selection process.
“The NYOTA project is about empowering Kenya’s most promising yet vulnerable youth to create jobs, not just seek them,” said Dr Susan Auma Mang’eni, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, in the validation manual released ahead of the nationwide exercise.
What the NYOTA Project Offers
The NYOTA project has three major goals:
- Improving employability,
- Expanding employment and business opportunities, and
- Encouraging savings among youth.
Under the Business Support Component, successful applicants will receive Ksh50,000 each in start-up capital to launch small businesses after undergoing entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and financial literacy sessions. Each ward is expected to produce about 70 youth entrepreneurs, creating a nationwide network of 100,000 new businesses.
Other key pillars include:
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Certification for 20,000 youth with informal skills.
- On-Job Experience (OJE): Paid attachments for 90,000 youth in various industries, each earning Ksh7,000 monthly stipends.
- Digital Training: Empowering 600,000 youth on e-procurement and AGPO opportunities.
- Savings Culture: A mandatory 12% savings deduction from grants and stipends to promote financial discipline.
How the Verification Will Work
According to the manual, verification will happen in person at designated constituency centres. Applicants must present their national ID, or PWD card for those with disabilities, as proof of identity and residency.
Each venue will have ward-level stations where participants sign in, have their details checked in both manual and electronic systems, and complete an Entrepreneurship Aptitude Test (EAT) if they haven’t done so already.
Only youth who physically show up will be validated; there will be no repeat exercise. Officials will confirm each applicant’s ward of residence, education level (Form Four and below), employment status (unemployed or underemployed), and availability for the full project period.
The EAT, conducted via SMS by texting the word NYOTA to 40270, is free and takes about 15–30 minutes to complete. It tests an applicant’s entrepreneurial mindset and intent. The platform is zero-rated, meaning no airtime is required, and can be accessed via both smartphones and basic feature phones.
The deadline for completing the EAT is Friday, October 24, 2025, at 12:00 pm.
After Verification: What Happens Next
Once the verification ends, the NYOTA teams will retreat for three days to analyze data and performance scores from the EAT. A final list of successful beneficiaries will then be compiled and communicated to applicants, who will be informed of the next steps, including training commencement.
Applicants who fail to meet the eligibility criteria—such as being employed, non-residents of the applying ward, or holding higher education qualifications—will be disqualified.
A Bold Step for Kenya’s Youth
The NYOTA programme, a flagship initiative under President William Ruto’s administration, has been hailed as one of Kenya’s most inclusive job creation efforts in recent years. It is designed not just to hand out cash, but to build capacity and create sustainable youth-led enterprises in every corner of the country.
By combining grants, mentorship, on-job experience, and certification of informal skills, NYOTA seeks to bridge Kenya’s youth unemployment gap while tapping into local innovation and enterprise.
“We are not just validating applicants; we are validating a generation’s potential,” PS Mang’eni said. “Every ward, every youth counts.”
Quick Facts: NYOTA Verification 2025
- Total Applicants: 804,125
- Target Beneficiaries: 100,000 youth entrepreneurs
- Grant per Youth: Ksh50,000
- Verification Date: October 24, 2025
- Deadline for EAT: October 24, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
- SMS Code: Text NYOTA to 40270 (Free of charge)
- Eligibility: Kenyan youth aged 18–29 (up to 35 for PWDs), unemployed, up to Form Four education
- Scope: 1,450 wards, 290 constituencies, all 47 counties
Read: Nationwide Rollout of NYOTA Programme Targets 820,000 Youths With Ksh50,000 Startup Grants
>>> All You Need to Know About the NYOTA Program And How to Benefit
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