With its economy in dire straits and youth unemployment soaring, Kenya – once East Africa’s most vibrant economy – is constantly under the spell of unrest as brutal police force lurks in the shadows to push back on threats on President William Ruto’s unpopular government.

Youth unemployment has become an omnipresent powder-keg – whether in government or opposition ranks – the political class fears will plunge the country into irreversible chaos with regional reverberations as was witnessed in June 2024 during the Gen Z (Generation Z) unrest.

The Gen Z protests in Kenya set off similar protests in Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and many other countries in the developing world.

To forestall the prospect of protests and threats to national security, the government in collaboration with the World Bank has launched National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme to head off possible unrest.

The programme is billed a transformative initiative to empower over 200,000 youths across the country through access to employment, entrepreneurship, digital technology and creative industry opportunities.

The launch at a hotel in Nairobi was presided over by Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya, who as in the company of Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Fikirini Jacobs.

It brought together youth leaders from all 47 counties, implementing partners and stakeholders from government and the private sector.

Speaking at the event, Mvurya said the programme is a strategic milestone in the government’s efforts to harness the potential of Kenya’s youth.

“NYOTA is not just a project; it is a national platform for the transformation of youths and an initiative that seeks to provide young people with equitable access to opportunities that will help them realise their aspirations,” he added.

Mvurya emphasised that the application process is fully digital, accessible via mobile phones, and deliberately free from bureaucratic barriers adding; “You no longer need to know anyone in the government to access youth empowerment opportunities. If you are applying for business support or recognition of prior learning, all you need is a phone, internet access and your ID (identity card).” 

He revealed that NYOTA was already making headways with applications surpassing expectations and was now moving to rollout and implementation phases.

Mvurya praised the transparency of the project’s recent logo competition, where winners were awarded after a public, inclusive selection process.

The cabinet secretary also announced that NYOTA will be fully rolled out during the International Youth Week in August, noting that by then, many applicants will have been certified to begin receiving support.  Fikirini echoed the cabinet secretary’s sentiments and urged youth to make use of the available opportunities.

“This is a call to action, we are currently accepting applications under the On-Job Experience (OJE) programme through the *254# platform, hence I urge all youths to apply only for the currently open components to avoid application errors,” he advised.

The principal secretary emphasised that the NYOTA also targets vulnerable youths who lack formal educational qualifications, providing avenues through recognition of prior learning and national certification frameworks. 

In addition, he said, social enterprises, access to government procurement and financial inclusion programmes are embedded in NYOTA’s design to reach underserved youth.

Fikirini highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to international job placements through the Labour Mobility Programme, supported by the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF).

“The state department is currently facilitating 600 youths, each with up to Ksh300,000, to enable them to take up job opportunities abroad and is keen on ensuring no youth is left behind due to lack of facilitation,” he explained.

Fikirini also noted that global remittances from Kenyan youths working abroad under the programme contributed over Ksh5 billion to the economy last year, affirming the value of the diaspora in national development.

To improve access to youth services, the PS announced the development of a digital Youth Opportunity Passport, consolidating all youth-targeted government programs in one platform. He called on the National Youth Council to expedite digitisation to allow for real-time updates.

Reflecting on his journey, Fikirini recounted how attending International Youth Day as a student in 2018 shaped his public service path.

“I came from Bamba, Kilifi, one of the most disadvantaged areas, to attend Youth Day in Nairobi and today, I am privileged to be a principal secretary. That is the power of platforms like these,” he said.

 Both the cabinet secretary and principal secretary urged youth to reject manipulation by political actors and instead focus their energy on building their future.

“Those inciting you to violence have already reached their destination. So, focus on your journey and use these platforms to shape your legacy,” Mvurya advised.

The NYOTA Programme, a flagship of President William Ruto’s youth empowerment agenda, is expected to consolidate youth-focused development efforts, streamline service delivery and create a coordinated framework for youth engagement across Kenya.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Amina Bakari and Esther Mulongo