Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro during a past event. /NDINDI NYORO/XKiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has urged the government to double its contribution to the National Youth Opportunity Towards Advancement programme, saying the initiative should provide Kenyan youth with at least Sh100,000 instead of the current Sh50,000 per beneficiary.
Speaking Friday as the government conducted a nationwide physical validation of Nyota applicants, Nyoro called on the state to “match shilling for shilling” the amount provided by the World Bank, which fully funds the programme.
"If the World Bank gives Sh20 billion for youth empowerment, the government should at least match it. That way, instead of giving our youth Sh50,000, they can receive Sh100,000 to start businesses and advance their skills," he said.
He also challenged the government to stop taking what he termed as undue political credit for the programme.
Nyoro said it was “dishonest and unfair” for the state to brand the World Bank initiative as its own while contributing nothing to its financing.
“The Nyota programme is not part of the government’s revenue or debt. It is entirely funded by the World Bank,” Nyoro said.
According to legislator, the government should instead demonstrate tangible commitment by investing its own resources alongside donor funds.
“Instead of politicising a World Bank programme, the government should contribute to it. Kenya has money, we borrow Sh3.5 billion every month. Can’t we afford to add Sh5 billion to support the Nyota youth programme?” the MP posed.
Nyoro further proposed that the government supplement the stipend under the programme’s skills training component, which currently pays young trainees Sh6,000 per month.
“Why can’t the government match that so that each youth earns Sh12,000 while learning practical skills? That’s how we build real economic empowerment,” he added.
The validation exercise was being conducted simultaneously across all 290 constituencies to confirm applicants’ authenticity and eligibility.
“The process will verify residency, education level, employment status, gender and disability, while confirming that applicants are available to participate fully throughout the project cycle,” MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya said Thursday in a notice.
He emphasised that only applicants who attended the exercise in person would be considered for selection.
“There will be no repeat exercise thereafter,” he cautioned.
Principal Secretaries, local administrators and elected leaders were deployed to oversee the process, which Oparanya said exemplifies a “whole-of-government approach” to youth empowerment.
Applicants were required to present their National Identity Cards while Persons with Disabilities had to carry disability identification cards.
The Nyota programme aims to promote entrepreneurship and employability among young Kenyans through business grants, skills training and mentorship opportunities.
