Nakuru MCAs Accuse MPs of ‘Hijacking’ NYOTA Programme

A storm is brewing in Nakuru County over the rollout of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, a government-backed initiative aimed at empowering jobless youth across the country. A section of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) has voiced concerns that Members of Parliament (MPs) have taken over the process, leaving them sidelined despite the programme’s ward-level structure. The MCAs claim that although each ward is meant to identify beneficiaries, MPs have allegedly handpicked candidates without involving local leaders who best understand community needs.
The tension follows a national sensitisation exercise held on October 6 at the Rift Valley National Polytechnic, where the government unveiled the KSh 5 billion NYOTA fund, supported by the World Bank. According to Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja and Menengai East MCA Wilson Mwangi Wajeff, MPs have already initiated recruitment and allocation without consulting the ward representatives. MPs have sat down and planned for us, and we were only invited to rubber-stamp the process, which is unfortunate, said Karanja. The leaders also criticised the first tranche of funds, saying the amount earmarked for youth startups is too little to make a meaningful difference.
The MCAs now want the county government and national officials to ensure inclusivity in the programme’s implementation, arguing that transparency at the grassroots level is key to ensuring genuine beneficiaries receive support. They warn that without coordination, the NYOTA programme risks turning into a political tool rather than a youth empowerment initiative. The leaders further urged the government to enhance public awareness about the project, particularly for uneducated or marginalized youths who may struggle to navigate the application process. As pressure mounts, all eyes are on the government’s next move—whether it will address the concerns raised or risk losing credibility among the very youth the NYOTA programme aims to uplift.