At least 250 youth drawn from five informal settlements in Nyeri County are set to benefit from a 45-day Social Emotional Skills training programme under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) initiative, a government-led intervention aimed at empowering vulnerable young people and improving their employability.
The training, which is scheduled to begin next week, targets youth from settlements covered under the Second Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Support Programme (KISIP II). The beneficiaries were officially handed over to trainers in an exercise conducted across all the five settlements, marking a key milestone in the rollout of the programme in Nyeri County.
Each of the five informal settlements; Kiamwathi and Chorong’i in Ruring’u Ward, Kiawara in Rware Ward, Mweiga in Mweiga Ward, and Ihwagi in Iria-ini Ward, has selected 50 youth who will undergo the intensive Social Emotional Development Skills training. The handover exercise was presided over by Nyeri County Lands Chief Officer Fredrick Maina and County Project Coordinator Beatrice Koech, who emphasized the importance of the programme in equipping youth with critical life and workplace skills.
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Speaking during the exercise, county officials noted that social and emotional skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, self-awareness, and adaptability are increasingly critical in today’s labour market. They observed that many young people, particularly those from informal settlements, face significant barriers to employment that go beyond technical skills, making such training essential for long-term economic inclusion.
During the handover, trainers assigned to the programme were formally introduced to the beneficiaries and local stakeholders. The trainers will be responsible for developing detailed training programmes and lesson plans tailored to the needs of the participants and the realities of the local labour market. The training will be conducted within the respective settlements to ensure accessibility and consistent participation by the youth.
The Settlement Executive Committees (SEC) will play a central role in mobilising participants, coordinating class schedules, and providing local support throughout the training period. In addition, the County Project Coordination Team (CPCT) will oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the programme, support trainers, and address any disputes or grievances that may arise during implementation, ensuring transparency and accountability.
The Social Emotional Skills training is being implemented within the broader framework of the NYOTA programme, a transformative five-year Government of Kenya initiative funded by the World Bank. NYOTA is designed to address persistent challenges facing young people, including unemployment, income insecurity, and low savings. The programme builds on the gains of the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP) and seeks to establish sustainable systems that support long-term employment, improved earnings, and financial inclusion.
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A key component of the NYOTA initiative is the integration of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). This component will enable participants who may lack formal education but possess practical skills and experience to be assessed and awarded nationally recognised certificates. The move is expected to open up formal employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for many youth who have previously been locked out of the labour market due to lack of certification.
The programme will also leverage partnerships with several government agencies to enhance its impact. These include the National Employment Authority (NEA), which will support digital job intermediation; the State Department for Labour (SDL), which will provide labour market information; the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA), which will support job creation and enterprise development initiatives; and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, which will offer policy and coordination support.
Upon successful completion of the 45-day training, participants will be awarded certificates and receive a stipend to support their participation. Officials said the stipend is intended to reduce financial barriers and encourage full attendance throughout the training period.
The eligibility criteria for the programme prioritised 50 beneficiaries per settlement, focusing on current or former KISIP II Labour-Intensive Public Works (LIPW) workers aged between 18 and 35 years. Beneficiaries were also required to be residents of the respective settlements and available for the full duration of the training. Additional priority was given to individuals from low-income households, persons exposed to drugs and harmful substances, persons with disabilities, and youth with low levels of formal education.
By Rodgers Wagura
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