Vihiga: Youth across Vihiga County turned up in large numbers to participate in the ongoing National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Programme aimed at empowering young people with skills and opportunities for self-employment.
According to Kenya News Agency, the exercise, held in various centres across the county, saw enthusiastic participation from youth in relevant stations in Mbale, Sabatia, Kaimosi, and Emuhaya. Speaking in Mbale, Ms. Jacqueline Otwori, who represented the Principal Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development Ms. Jane Imbunya, assured participants that the process would be transparent and inclusive.
Ms. Otwori emphasized that the programme seeks to empower the youth and ensure that no one is left behind, highlighting the importance of meeting the set criteria. She also mentioned that it is crucial for the youth to have the necessary skills, as the initiative is designed to enhance their ability to start and sustain businesses.
She noted that the response from young people had exceeded expectations, indicating their readiness to embrace empowerment opportunities. Ms. Otwori mentioned that the experience gained from implementing the Nyota Programme would guide the development of similar initiatives in the future, as it serves as a pilot project that will inform policy and planning.
Additionally, she encouraged the youth to be creative and identify business ideas that align with their interests, providing an example that those passionate about cooking or baking could receive support based on their areas of interest.