Thousands of young people in Northeastern Kenya are set to receive business support grants under the Government’s National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project in a move aimed at expanding enterprise growth and improving youth livelihoods across the region.
President William Ruto is expected to lead the disbursement exercise in Garissa, Mandera, and Wajir counties, where the Government is targeting more than 5,000 young entrepreneurs in each county.
The Garissa event is scheduled for 11th February 2026, followed by Mandera and Wajir on 12th February 2026.
The upcoming rollout forms part of the broader NYOTA initiative, designed to address youth unemployment and limited access to start-up capital by providing financial support, skills development, and structured mentorship to young people across the country.
Officials say the grants will enable beneficiaries to start new businesses or expand existing micro and small enterprises, creating income opportunities and strengthening local economies in counties that have historically faced development and employment challenges.
The North Eastern disbursement also reflects the Government’s continued push to ensure equitable access to economic empowerment programmes, particularly in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) regions where youth unemployment remains high and private investment opportunities are limited.
Beyond financial support, NYOTA integrates business training, financial literacy, and savings mobilisation to help young entrepreneurs build sustainable enterprises rather than short-term income activities.
The programme is aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which prioritises grassroots economic participation and inclusive growth.
Local leaders and youth groups have welcomed the planned disbursement, expressing optimism that the funding will unlock entrepreneurship potential, stimulate local markets, and reduce economic vulnerability among young people.
As the February rollout approaches, stakeholders say the success of the initiative will depend on continued mentorship, accountability, and linkage of beneficiaries to broader market opportunities to ensure the businesses supported under NYOTA grow into stable sources of employment and community development.