Baringo: ICT and Digital Economy Principal Secretary (PS) Eng John Tanui has expressed concern over the low application response to the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project, especially in the far-flung areas of Baringo County. Eng Tanui, who presided over a sensitization campaign on the NYOTA project for Baringo County, noted that out of a total of 7,106 applicants, only 716 were successful, leaving the county with a deficit of 646 slots. He regretted that no single ward in the county managed to meet the targeted 70 youth allocation per ward in the project by the government in conjunction with the World Bank.
According to Kenya News Agency, the PS was accompanied by Baringo Deputy Governor Eng Felix Kimaiyo and four elected leaders: Joseph Makilap (Baringo North), William Kamket (Tiaty), Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), and Musa Sirma of Eldama Ravine. He called on stakeholders, including administration officers and professionals, to quickly identify all vulnerable youth for them to benefit from the program that seeks to provide Sh50,000 startup grants as capital to start and expand their businesses.
Eng Tanui highlighted the benefits of the project, which, apart from certifying the skills of young people, intends to link them to experts for job training. The PS added that the government is committed to helping the youth realize their full potential, especially in this digital superhighway era. He mentioned the engagement of digital global players like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, which are now becoming earning streams for youth across the country. Eng Tanui encouraged those already earning from their platforms to teach others and noted that the government is running programs aimed at capacity building for them.
The PS also urged the youth to embrace a saving culture in all government projects geared towards improving their livelihoods. The four MPs who attended the forum resolved to unite and mount an aggressive awareness campaign across the six constituencies to ensure more youth apply for the NYOTA funds before the set deadline. The legislators commended the government for initiating the transformative programme tailored towards uplifting the livelihoods of the most vulnerable and marginalized segment of Kenyan youth below the age of 29 years.
The legislators observed that the NYOTA programme is timely as it helps equip the youth with requisite skills and knowledge on entrepreneurship and small-scale businesses. They urged local youth to apply for the funds through the available digital application platform, which is transparent and accessible to all. Joseph Makilap, in his remarks, called on successful applicants to invest the Sh50,000 grant awarded in real-time projects like beekeeping, poultry, or goat rearing. He stated that such small-scale enterprises take a shorter period to mature and generate income compared to long-term economic activities susceptible to market forces.
