NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has launched a government initiative to support 90,000 young Kenyans who have completed Class 8, Form 2 or Form 4 but have not progressed into further education or vocational training. The programme is part of a broader effort to enhance employability and economic inclusion under the Bottom‑Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Under the scheme, eligible participants will receive sponsorship for vocational courses in practical trades such as tailoring, cosmetics and plumbing, along with a monthly stipend of Ksh 6,000 to cover transport and living expenses while in training.
After six months, the government will pay examination fees and issue certification, intended to give graduates both recognized skills and improved prospects in the job market.
President Ruto outlined the initiative’s scope at a public event, saying:
“We are looking for 90,000 young people who have finished Class 8, Form 2 and Form 4 and have not managed to proceed, but have a plan to do any course looking for a skill… We shall pay for the course they want, give them Ksh 6,000 every month to go home and back to school. We shall also pay their examination fee after six months and give them a certificate, so that with the skills and certificate, they will also look for work. If there are more than 90,000, we shall still support them.”
Ruto emphasised that the policy is rooted in his government’s economic model, describing it as more than rhetoric:
“When we said bottom up is not a slogan, it is a plan so that those who have not gotten an opportunity to go to college and have a skill, we want to support them because they too deserve support from their government.”
Should applications exceed the 90,000 target, the President pledged that the government would expand the programme to accommodate additional youth.
NYOTA project: Beyond skills to jobs and business support
The announcement comes alongside ongoing efforts under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project, a major youth empowerment initiative backed by the World Bank and the Kenyan government that combines skills development, entrepreneurship support and on‑the‑job experience.
Phase Two of NYOTA’s Business Support Component is currently rolling out across all 47 counties, where young entrepreneurs receive structured support including mentorship, training and capital.
Under this component, beneficiaries in regions such as the North Rift will undergo a two‑month mentorship programme delivered by experienced business development experts, with subsequent training phases planned for additional counties.
In its first cohort, the Business Support intervention disbursed Sh25,000 in startup grants to more than 13,000 youth in Western Kenya, with total support expected to reach Sh50,000 per beneficiary as part of a phased rollout.
The wider NYOTA framework also includes:
- On‑the‑Job Experience (OJE) placements for 90,000 young people, where participants gain workplace skills and a stipend.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for 20,000 youth with informal skills to earn formal certification.
- Savings incentives via the Haba Na Haba account, linked with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
The project’s design targets youth aged 18–29, and up to 35 for persons with disabilities, aiming to reduce barriers to economic participation and bridge the gap between education and employment.
Government commitment and public response
Ruto’s government has underscored continued investment in youth livelihoods through programmes such as the Hustler Fund, digital skills training, and financial inclusion initiatives, all aimed at tapping Kenya’s demographic dividend.
Also Read: Over 9 million Hustler Fund defaulters barred from new NYOTA youth grants
The expanded NYOTA rollout and attendant stipends come against the backdrop of strong demand among young people for job opportunities and practical skills, as evidenced by more than one million applications submitted during earlier phases of the programme.
However, some youth have expressed mixed views on social media, with debates about the sufficiency and timeliness of the funds and support mechanisms.
As implementation proceeds, the government faces the challenge of ensuring that training, financial support and mentorship translate into sustainable employment and enterprise growth across diverse sectors of Kenya’s economy.
