Nairobi: The Government’s National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project is creating new opportunities for young people across Kenya by offering business support, skills development, mentorship, and savings. The initiative is part of a national effort to expand employment opportunities, improve incomes, and empower the youth to build sustainable livelihoods.
According to Kenya News Agency, beneficiaries like 28-year-old Abigail Chepkoech from Tilwet Estate in Chaik Ward, Belgut Sub-County, Kericho County, have turned entrepreneurial ideas into growing enterprises. Chepkoech’s poultry business now earns her an average profit of Sh40,000 per month. Her journey began with a Sh25,000 disbursement from NYOTA, which she used to purchase an incubator, eventually allowing her to expand her business and increase her production capacity.
Chepkoech’s success story demonstrates the significant impact of NYOTA funds in transforming young lives. Her poultry business not only provides a stable income but also supports her family, including her husband who works in surrounding tea farms. The NYOTA Project offered her financial and entrepreneurial training, which equipped her with the necessary skills to manage her business effectively.
With the support from NYOTA, Chepkoech has diversified her income sources by establishing a small restaurant, complementing her poultry business. The program’s financial assistance, coupled with entrepreneurship training, has enabled her to make informed decisions, maintain financial discipline, and reinvest profits for growth.
Chepkoech has also formed a poultry group with other NYOTA beneficiaries in Chaik Ward. They aim to formalize operations and seek additional funding opportunities to expand their ventures. The group recently received an incubator donation from Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Rono, further supporting their collective efforts.
As Chepkoech continues to nurture her enterprise and support her community, she dreams of becoming one of Kenya’s largest chick suppliers and expanding her business internationally. Her experience highlights the broader impact of the NYOTA Project in Kericho County, where 2,393 youths have received start-up capital to develop skills and establish businesses.
Kericho County Commissioner Omari Ali noted that NYOTA has significantly impacted the lives of young people by engaging them in productive activities and helping them become economically active community members. The program’s financial support, combined with savings and mentorship components, encourages responsible investment in enterprises.
The implementation of NYOTA includes a focus on addressing emerging challenges, such as mentorship and market linkages, ensuring that young entrepreneurs like Chepkoech have the resources and guidance needed to succeed. Her journey from a small investment to aspirations of international expansion exemplifies the transformative potential of the NYOTA Project.
