Top officials from the World Bank have held high-level emergency consultations with government representatives regarding the persistent delays in disbursing the second tranche of business start-up grants under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme. The meeting comes amid mounting pressure from thousands of young entrepreneurs across the country who have been left in a state of financial limbo.
The NYOTA project, a flagship government initiative financed by the World Bank, is designed to empower unemployed youth by providing KSh50,000 in capital, split into two equal installments of KSh25,000. While many beneficiaries successfully received their first payment, a significant number have faced long, unexplained delays in accessing the second installment, threatening the viability of businesses launched under the scheme.
Sources indicate that the discussions centered on reconciling budgetary constraints and the logistical challenges stemming from an unexpected surge in enrollment. The government previously cited the massive scale of the programme—which saw over two million applications for the business support component—as a key factor behind the administrative bottlenecks. Principal Secretary for MSMEs Development Susan Mang’eni recently acknowledged these challenges, noting that the government has shifted to a consolidated rollout strategy to resolve the backlog.
During the talks, the World Bank sought reassurances that funds would be managed with full transparency to prevent further disruptions. For many young Kenyans, the grant is a critical lifeline for operational costs, and the ongoing uncertainty has triggered widespread frustration on social media and at local administrative offices.
The government has since issued a formal commitment to clear the payments by June 30, 2026. Officials confirmed that eligible beneficiaries will receive the outstanding KSh25,000 in a single, nationwide disbursement to ensure efficiency.
Leave a Reply