Govt to Pay Ksh6,000 Monthly! Over 820,000 Youth to Benefit From NYOTA Program Starting August 2025

In a major step toward tackling youth unemployment, the Kenyan government has confirmed the August 2025 launch of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) program.  

Backed by the World Bank, NYOTA is designed to empower the country’s young population with work experience, financial support, and access to entrepreneurship tools. Through this program, over 820,000 unemployed and vulnerable youth, including persons with disabilities, will receive direct support and access to paid opportunities. 

Each selected youth under NYOTA will earn a monthly stipend of Ksh6,000, which will be deposited into Haba Haba savings accounts. The government believes that by combining financial assistance with real-world work placements, young people will be better equipped to support themselves, their families, and even their communities. 

A Cabinet Dispatch revealed that the program has already opened applications for its On-the-Job placement phase, which targets 90,000 youth. These placements will last between three and six months, during which participants will not only receive the monthly stipend but also gain valuable work experience with employers across Kenya. 

According to government sources, the NYOTA program is structured to provide young people with more than just income. It includes skill recognition through a certification process known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which ensures that informal knowledge and experience are formally acknowledged. 

Additionally, the program offers support to those interested in starting their own businesses, with training and mentorship provided to guide them on the path to self-employment. 

Since the application window opened on July 11, over one million applications have already been submitted, showing just how eagerly young people are embracing the opportunity. The government has encouraged all interested youth to apply before the deadline on August 15. 

Officials say NYOTA is not just a job-creation scheme, it is a key pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), President William Ruto’s flagship economic plan. The program is intended to uplift the country’s youth who have struggled for years with high unemployment, lack of formal job experience, and limited economic opportunities. 

The NYOTA initiative also builds on previous youth-focused efforts by the Ruto administration, such as the Climate WorX Mtaani program. That project, which started in Nairobi in September last year, provided employment to over 21,000 young people while also addressing pressing environmental issues. The success of Climate WorX has helped build trust in similar programs like NYOTA, giving young people reason to believe that real change is possible. 

As NYOTA prepares to roll out across the country, the government says it is determined to ensure inclusivity. Persons with disabilities and youth from marginalized communities are being prioritized to ensure that no group is left behind.  

By partnering with both local employers and international stakeholders like the World Bank, the government hopes to build a model of development that is both sustainable and people-centered. 

One of the core features of the program is its focus on skills development. Young people who may have worked informally as welders, tailors, or carpenters, without formal training, will now be able to get certified through the RPL process. This opens the door to better job opportunities and higher earnings in the future. 

For others with entrepreneurial ambitions, NYOTA offers a bridge from dreams to reality. Participants will receive coaching and guidance on how to launch and sustain small businesses. By fostering innovation and enterprise, the program hopes to shift youth from job seekers to job creators. 

Government officials have described NYOTA as more than a social program, it is an investment in the future. By giving young people a fair shot, the administration believes it is not only addressing unemployment but also preventing future social unrest and economic stagnation. 

Youth unemployment in Kenya has long been a ticking time bomb, with many graduates and skilled individuals unable to find decent work. NYOTA aims to change this narrative by focusing on both immediate support and long-term transformation. 

With the clock ticking toward the August launch, the message to young Kenyans is clear: this is your moment. The government is providing the tools, the platform, and the support, you must now take the step and seize the opportunity. 

Across the country, anticipation is growing. From rural villages to urban centers, thousands of youth are already sharing stories of hope and ambition. Whether through job placements, skills certification, or business creation, NYOTA promises to bring dignity and direction back into the lives of Kenya’s youth. 

President Ruto’s administration has framed NYOTA as a defining moment for his leadership. If successful, it could mark a turning point in Kenya’s journey toward inclusive growth and economic justice. For now, the eyes of the nation are on August 2025, and on the future it holds for Kenya’s young generation.