NYOTA phase 2 rollout: Is govt deploying CSs, PSs for another costly campaign strategy?
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, July 10, 2026The government’s rollout of the second phase of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme is under scrutiny, with the government’s decision to deploy Cabinet Secretaries (CSs), Principal Secretaries (PSs) and other senior government officials across the country to oversee the exercise under review.
The government is set to launch Phase Two of the World Bank-funded youth empowerment programme targeting 50,000 young entrepreneurs in 27 counties.
According to the government, successful beneficiaries are expected to receive Ksh22,000 in business start-up capital through the NYOTA wallet and an additional Ksh3,000 in mandatory savings under the NSSF Haba Haba scheme, alongside mentorship and business development support.
Echoes of phase one
Much of the criticism stems from the government’s approach during the rollout of NYOTA Phase One.
At the time, President William Ruto, his deputy Kithure Kindiki, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, County Commissioners and National Government Administrative Officers traversed the country, conducting sensitisation forums and presiding over launch events.
The government defended the nationwide campaign as necessary to create awareness and ensure eligible youth enrolled in the programme.
The exercise consumed millions of shillings in transport, accommodation, security, venue preparation and logistical expenses, raising concerns over whether the resources could have been better directed towards beneficiaries or other development activities.
With Phase Two now underway, the government appears to be repeating the same model despite the programme already being widely known and beneficiaries having undergone the application and selection process.
This raises questions ahead of the approaching 2027 elections.
Necessary rollout or costly publicity?
The planned rollout has reignited debate over whether senior government officials need to crisscross the country for regional launch events.
According to the government’s implementation plan, President William Ruto, cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries are expected to lead regional engagements as the programme enters its second phase.
Once beneficiaries have been identified and trained, grant disbursement should largely be an administrative exercise handled through existing government structures, with county and constituency offices overseeing implementation while funds are transferred directly to successful applicants.
Dispatching senior government officials across multiple counties is likely to cost taxpayers millions of shillings in travel, accommodation, security and event organisation.
The extensive nationwide engagements create the perception that the rollout is serving a broader government publicity agenda rather than simply delivering an economic empowerment programme.
Calls for prudent use of public funds
At a time when there is an increased call for fiscal discipline and prudent use of public resources, greater emphasis should be placed on reducing administrative costs and directing more funds to young entrepreneurs.
Savings from a leaner rollout could be used to increase the number of beneficiaries, enhance business mentorship, strengthen post-disbursement monitoring or increase the value of grants issued under the programme.
The government, however, opts for regional engagements to promote the agenda of the re-election of President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 general election.
A key test for youth empowerment
The NYOTA programme is a five-year initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented by the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development to promote youth entrepreneurship, employment and financial inclusion.
As Phase Two gets underway, the programme is expected to be closely watched not only for its impact on youth employment but also for how efficiently public resources are utilised.
The question is no longer whether NYOTA can transform the lives of young entrepreneurs but whether its implementation can achieve that goal without attracting much expenditure over the cost and optics of its nationwide rollout.