Sh192m Nyota grant to revamp Murang’a, Kirinyaga economies

Sports PS Elijah Mwangi, accompanied by Murang'a leaders, during a meeting with administrators in Murang'a town on October 6, 2025/HANDOUT

The newly launched National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (Nyota) programme will revitalise grassroots economies, leaders from Murang’a and Kirinyaga counties have said.

The programme that was activated on Monday night, is set to provide Sh50,000 grants to 70 youths from every ward who have no post-secondary certificates.

With Murang’a county having 35 wards, the programme will benefit 2,450 youths who will acquire grants amounting to Sh122.5 million while 1,400 will benefit in Kirinyaga, receiving Sh70 million.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said never before has a state programme targeted youths who didn’t advance their education after sitting their KCSE exam.

“You have no excuse not to apply for this opportunity. Use USSD *254# to apply for the opportunity you want. It will cost you nothing,” Mwangi told youths during a meeting with National Government Administration Officers in Murang’a town.

Physical validation for shortlisted beneficiaries will be conducted on October 17 in constituency offices to ensure only deserving youths benefit from the grants.

He urged applicants to ensure they are connected to a mobile phone to receive further directions.

Mwangi emphasised that the system will do the initial vetting, assuring youths that the process will be transparent and devoid of corruption.

“Don’t bribe anybody. The programme is free. These monies will rejuvenate our villages and enhance business activities, boosting the livelihoods of many,” he said.

Administrators and government officials during a meeting on NYOTA programme in Murang'a Town on October 6, 2025

The PS said most uncertified youths mostly acquire skills in the informal sector as they try to eke a living, noting that Nyota will also give them an opportunity to be trained and acquire certificates from National Industrial Training Authority.

This, in turn, will highly boost their employability and make it possible for them to benefit from other government employment opportunities such as Kazi Majuu that deploys youths to foreign countries for work.

Maragua MP Mary Waithera said youths who will undertake the certification programme will be paid Sh6,000 per month as they undertake short trainings.

She underscored the need for chiefs and their assistants to mobilise responsible youths to apply for the grants, saying the funds should not be used to buy alcohol or drugs.

Nominated MP Sabina Chege said community leaders will help identify worthy youths as they know them.

“Community leaders know the people working as fundis but who have no certificates in their areas. They also know the mischievous youths and the ones making efforts to get their lives in line,” she added.

With only 3.5 million Kenyans in formal employment, Chege said the programme will give a major boost to the informal sector, giving struggling youths the opportunity to get into the business sector and lift their lives.

She called on applicants to apply from their villages as training will be done through local TVETS as the government tries to reduce their expenditures.

Health PS Mary Muthoni with Kirinyaga County Commissioner Hussein Allasow arrive at Kerugoya girls for a meeting with administrators on NYOTA programme on October 6, 2025

Kangema MP Peter Kihungi noted that each of the 35 wards will receive Sh3.5 million from the grants, saying the funds will enhance the cash flow in the villages and greatly improve businesses.

 Many of the traders in the villages borrow Sh20,000 from banks, saccos and their community groups to start businesses, he said.

 “You can imagine 70 youths from one area receiving Sh50,000. It will have a huge economic impact in the villages,” he added.

 He however appealed to residents to alienate politics from the programme that he said was the brain-child of the Jubilee government.

 He said failure to apply for the funds will see it benefit others as local youths miss out and continue struggling.

 In Kirinyaga county, Health PS Mary Muthoni expressed shock that only over 100 locals had registered their companies under Access to Government Procurement Opportunities that allows women, youths and persons with disabilities to access government tenders.

 “The law requires 30 per cent of all procurement opportunities to go towards these three groups but many people are yet to take advantage of it,” he said.

 Muthoni urged youths aged between 18 and 29 and PWDs aged between 18 and 35 to ensure they apply for the Nyota grants.

 “These grants have the capacity to totally change your life. If you don’t apply, you will have no one to blame,” she said.

 She noted that applicants will be trained on entrepreneurship and how they can benefit from AGPO.

 

 INSTANT ANALYSIS

 The programme that was activated on Monday night is set to provide Sh50,000 grants to 70 youths from every ward who have no post-secondary certificates. With Murang’a county having 35 wards, the programme will benefit 2,450 youths who will acquire grants amounting to Sh122.5 million while 1,400 will benefit in Kirinyaga, receiving Sh70 million. PS Elijah Mwangi said most uncertified youths mostly acquire skills in the informal sector as they try to eke a living, noting that Nyota will also give them an opportunity to be trained and acquire certificates from National Industrial Training Authority.