Youth across Kenya turned up in impressive numbers for the NYOTA Entrepreneurship Training, with Nairobi and Kiambu Counties standing out for exceptional early-morning attendance, strong enthusiasm, and high levels of engagement. From Gatundu to Lari, Thika Town, Embakasi to Dagoreti, training centres recorded long queues of beneficiaries ready to begin their four-day Business Development Skills training programme many arriving early, notebooks in hand and eager to take up the opportunity.
The momentum witnessed in Kiambu reflects a nationwide trend. From 26th November, training has been ongoing in 17 other counties including Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Marsabit, Samburu, Wajir, Mandera and Garissa. Training centres in these counties have reported full classes, high participation, and strong commitment from beneficiaries who successfully progressed through the selection process.
The Entrepreneurship Training under Business support intervention is designed to equip young people with the practical knowledge and hands-on capabilities required to start, strengthen, and grow viable businesses. Over four intensive days, beneficiaries are taken through modules that build their capacity in business planning, financial literacy, record keeping, compliance, marketing, customer relations, and enterprise growth strategies. The curriculum is tailored to Kenya’s business environment, ensuring that youth understand not only how to start a business, but how to sustain and scale it.
Across all counties, beneficiaries have showed optimism about the project, describing it as timely, transformative, and empowering. Many have noted that the sessions are giving them clarity on the kind of businesses they want to pursue, confidence to formalize their enterprises, and tools to better navigate an increasingly competitive economic landscape.
Business skills training class in Ruiru Constituency.
Beyond the classroom, the BDS training marks the beginning of a longer journey for the beneficiaries. After the initial training, they will receive business capital to help them launch their business and each beneficiary will undergo two months of mentorship delivered by business development experts who will support them to refine their business ideas, improve operational efficiency, access markets, and position their enterprises for growth. This mentorship phase is a key feature of NYOTA’s approach, ensuring that the training translates into action, sustainability, and real economic impact.
The strong youth turnout witnessed underscores both the need for structured entrepreneurship support and the readiness of Kenya’s young people to seize opportunities that can improve their livelihoods. NYOTA Project continues to demonstrate its critical role in expanding economic inclusion, strengthening pathways to self-employment, and empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs across all 1,450 wards in Kenya.
The Youth have made one thing clear: they are ready, determined, and fully prepared to build businesses that contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s socio-economic transformation.
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