Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya has raised concerns over the government’s National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme, questioning how the Ksh50,000 youth grant is being managed and warning that taxpayers will ultimately shoulder the repayment burden to the World Bank.

Speaking during a political talk show aired by a local television station on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Gakuya expressed doubts about the programme’s transparency and sustainability, saying it risks mirroring past initiatives that failed to achieve their intended purpose.

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“The Ksh50,000 given to the youth under the NYOTA Programme is free, but ultimately, taxpayers will repay the money to the World Bank,” he said, emphasising that the grant may appear like free money to the beneficiaries, but the real cost will fall on Kenyan citizens in the long run.

Rushed out

The legislator faulted the approach used in identifying and preparing the beneficiaries, arguing that the government may have rushed to roll out the initiative without proper assessment or guidance for the youth.

“Have we prepared the youths on the kind of business they are going to engage in? Giving this money to people with no clue is useless,” he posed, questioning whether the programme had clear structures to ensure the funds are put to productive use.

Gakuya insisted that the lack of due diligence could turn a well-intentioned initiative into another failed government handout.

“You can’t just wake up and give me money; you need to evaluate first,” he said, adding that such programmes should be backed by mentorship and follow-up mechanisms to ensure sustainability.

He further likened the NYOTA Programme to the Hustler Fund, suggesting that without proper oversight, the money might end up wasted. “This money will otherwise find its way to where the Hustler Fund has gone,” Gakuya warned.

His remarks come at a time when the NYOTA Programme, launched by the government to empower youth with business capital, has been gaining attention across the country. While many young people have welcomed the initiative as a lifeline, critics like Gakuya believe it could backfire if accountability and training are not prioritised.