Apply for NYOTA OJE Programme as Government Says Nearly One Million Youth Have Benefited
Posted by EDITORIAL
The Government has opened applications for the NYOTA OJE Programme, offering paid apprenticeships to youth nationwide. Officials confirm NYOTA is a government-led project that has already impacted over 800,000 young people.
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Nairobi Kenya
In Summary
- The Government has opened applications for the NYOTA Project’s On-the-Job Experience (OJE) programme, offering paid six-month apprenticeships to unemployed and underemployed youth across Kenya.
- Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs clarified that both NYOTA and KYEOP are fully government-led programmes, with the World Bank only providing loan financing support.
- Over 800,000 young people have already benefited directly from NYOTA interventions, as the government urges youth to also take up AGPO opportunities responsibly.
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The Government of Kenya has officially opened applications for the On-the-Job Experience (OJE) component under the NYOTA Project, marking a significant push to expand youth employability through structured apprenticeships and skills development.
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Applications opened at midnight on 30th January 2026 and will run for two weeks, targeting youth aged 18 to 29 years, with an extended upper age limit of 35 years for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The programme is open to young people with Form Four education or below who are unemployed or underemployed, with applications accessible nationwide by dialling *254#.
Speaking during a press briefing aimed at demystifying the NYOTA Project, Principal Secretary Fikirini Jacobs addressed growing public debate around the ownership and structure of youth empowerment programmes. He firmly clarified that both the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP) and the NYOTA Project are government-led initiatives, dispelling claims that they are run by the World Bank.
“The role of the World Bank has been, and remains, that of facilitating loan financing to the Government of Kenya,” the PS stated, emphasizing that policy direction, implementation, and accountability remain firmly within government institutions.
According to PS Jacobs, the NYOTA Project has so far directly impacted more than 800,000 young people through its various interventions, making it one of the most expansive youth-focused initiatives in the country. These interventions span skills development, enterprise support, employment facilitation, and income-generation opportunities aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The newly opened OJE programme is a central pillar of the project, designed as a six-month structured apprenticeship that places youth in real workplace environments. Participants will gain hands-on practical training, receive mentorship and work-readiness support, and undergo NITA Trade Testing and certification, enhancing their competitiveness in the labour market. Beneficiaries will also receive a monthly facilitation stipend of KES 6,000, easing the financial burden during training.
PS Jacobs urged eligible youth to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that the OJE model allows young people to learn, earn, and build employable skills simultaneously, while creating clearer pathways to long-term employment.
Beyond employment and training, the PS also issued a strong caution on the use of Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO). He reminded youth that 30 percent of all government procurement is legally reserved for youth, women, and persons with disabilities, and encouraged genuine participation.
“Youth must not allow themselves to be used as proxies by established business people to unfairly access AGPO opportunities or to evade taxes,” he warned, calling for integrity, compliance, and responsible entrepreneurship.
As applications for the NYOTA OJE Programme continue, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment through skills development, decent work opportunities, and inclusive economic participation. Eligible young people are encouraged to apply early and position themselves to benefit from one of Kenya’s most impactful youth employment programmes.
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