- NYOTA mentorship starts August 10 for 122,000 youth beneficiaries.
- More than 4,879 mentors will provide business coaching and market support.
- Government is preparing financing, AGPO training and apprenticeship opportunities
The government has scheduled a fresh round of mentorship sessions for National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project beneficiaries beginning August 10, with more than 4,879 mentors engaged nationwide to guide over 122,000 Business Support recipients.
The announcement was made in a press release dated August 7, 2026, by the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, signed by Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni, CBS, of the State Department for MSMEs Development.
According to the statement, the NYOTA Project, rolled out in March 2025, uses a digital platform to give young people across Kenya’s 1,450 wards equal access to opportunities for socio economic empowerment. On July 10, 2026, the government disbursed start up capital grants to over 122,000 Business Support beneficiaries, providing them with resources to launch and grow their enterprises.
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Each beneficiary has been assigned a mentor, an experienced business practitioner who will handle no more than 20 mentees. The sessions will cover business site visits, cross peer mentorship, business case experiences, coaching, counselling and market linkages.
The ministry said mentorship session completion is mandatory for beneficiaries to access their next level of support, and urged them to ensure maximum participation.
The government is also developing blended financing growth products to help NYOTA Business Support beneficiaries access enhanced financing from government catalytic funds. This follows a directive by President Dr William Ruto during last month’s start up capital disbursement, aimed at expanding access to financing for beneficiaries.
The ministry said it is working with county governments to develop a framework for business licence waivers, to give beneficiaries access to markets and viable trading spaces.
Preparations are also underway for the rollout of the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) training component, scheduled for next month and targeting more than 600,000 young entrepreneurs to boost their uptake of government procurement opportunities.
Under the On the Job Experience (OJE) component, Socio Emotional Skills Development (SESD) training is currently ongoing in 18 counties: Isiolo, Marsabit, Laikipia, Samburu, Turkana, Baringo, Nandi, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Lamu, Mombasa, Kilifi, Garissa, Mandera, Wajir and Tana River.
Beneficiaries who complete the SESD training successfully will move into a five month apprenticeship under experienced master craftsmen and employers, where they will gain hands on industry experience, receive mentorship and develop occupational skills to enhance their employability and prepare them for sustainable livelihoods.
By Benedict Aoya
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