A renewed sense of optimism filled Busia County this week as hundreds of youth gathered across the seven constituencies for the just concluded NYOTA Business Development Skills (BDS) Training, an intervention under the NYOTA Project that seeks to empower young entrepreneurs with the skills and resources needed to build sustainable enterprises.
Leading the monitoring exercise of the training was the Principal Secretary, State Department for MSMEs Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, accompanied by Busia County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga, MSEA Busia Regional Head Moses Njoroge, and National Government Administrative Officers.
The monitoring visit covered several training centers including Busia Vocational Technical Centre (Matayos Constituency), Okame Technical Vocational Training Institute (Teso South), Bumbe Technical Training Institute Nangina Campus (Funyula), and Bunyala Technical Training Institute (Budalangi). At each stop, the PS interacted with trainees and facilitators, gaining firsthand insights into the progress of the program and its transformative potential.
Principal Secretary, State Department for MSME Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, accompanied by Busia County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga, MSEA Busia Regional Head Moses Njoroge, and National Government Administrative Officers during the NYOTA BDS Training in Busia County.
Now in its second phase, the NYOTA BDS Training in Busia County attracted hundreds of young people selected under Component 2 – Business Support of the NYOTA Project. The program’s comprehensive curriculum focuses on essential areas such as financial literacy, marketing strategies, and strategic planning, equipping participants with the practical knowledge to manage and grow their enterprises effectively.
Hon. Susan Mang’eni, noted that the training is designed not only to transfer knowledge but to lay a foundation for long-term entrepreneurship success. “The Government is keen on empowering citizens from the bottom of the economic pyramid, and that is why we are investing in youth with the potential to transform their lives and communities through enterprise,” she said.
She underscored that the National Youth Towards Advancement Project is a public investment targeting vulnerable youth, particularly those who may not have had access to formal education. By combining business training, certification, and financial support, the initiative aims to provide a second chance for many young people to build meaningful livelihoods.
Principal Secretary, State Department for MSME Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni giving her remarks during the monitoring visit
Under the NYOTA Business Support component, each qualified participant is set to receive a start-up grant of KES 50,000 to establish or expand a business. However, the PS cautioned beneficiaries to remain vigilant against scammers claiming to facilitate disbursement, stressing that all official communication will be made through designated NYOTA and implementing agencies channels.
She further advised the youth to avoid misusing the funds on betting or other unproductive ventures, instead urging them to view the grant as a launchpad for future growth. “This grant is not just free money it is a seed. How you use it will determine your future as entrepreneurs,” she emphasized.
Hon. Mang’eni also assured the participants that the government’s support would not end with training or grant disbursement. Beneficiaries will continue to receive mentorship and linkage to key state agencies such as the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Uwezo Fund, and Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE) to help them scale up their ventures.
The NYOTA BDS Training is transforming mindsets and igniting entrepreneurial ambition among participants. One beneficiary and trainee, Mary Riziki from Busia County, shared how the program has reshaped her business outlook:
“I have learned how to make a business plan through this training. When I get the grant, I plan to start my own filling station,” she said.
Mary’s story reflects the essence of the NYOTA initiative, empowering youth with the confidence, knowledge, and resources to turn their ideas into thriving enterprises that uplift their communities.
Mary Riziki NYOTA Beneficiary from Matayos Constituency Busia County giving her testimonial about the BDS training.
The NYOTA Project, which targets 820,000 youth across Kenya, seeks to unlock entrepreneurial potential among young people through a holistic approach that blends capacity building, funding, and ongoing mentorship.
For many of the Busia participants, the program represents more than just training it is an opportunity to rewrite their economic stories, create employment, and contribute to local development.
As the monitoring exercise concluded, Hon. Mang’eni left the trainees with a powerful challenge: “You are the drivers of Kenya’s economic transformation. Use this opportunity wisely to build credible businesses, create jobs, and become a generation that turns challenges into opportunities.”
Pictorial highlights from the NYOTA Entrepreneurship Training in Busia County.
