NYOTA PROJECT OJE COMPONENT EQUIPS MORE THAN 100,000 YOUTH WITH SOFT SKILLS ACROSS 47 COUNTIES

106,113 youth beneficiaries complete Socio-Emotional Skills Development training ahead of apprenticeship and job placement

The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, On-the-Job Experience (OJE) Track has successfully completed Socio-Emotional Skills Development (SESD) training for 106,113 youth beneficiaries across all 47 counties, paving the way for their transition to apprenticeship and job placement.

The intensive 20-day SESD training equipped young people with essential workplace and life skills, including communication, teamwork, resilience, professionalism, emotional intelligence, financial discipline and emotional regulation, among others.

The completion of the training was marked by graduation ceremonies held across the 47 counties and organized in eight lots. The ceremonies brought together thousands of young beneficiaries to celebrate their achievements while reinforcing the importance of responsible citizenship and community engagement.

As part of the graduation activities, beneficiaries participated in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including tree-planting exercises and environmental clean-ups in nearby markets and public spaces. The activities underscored the NYOTA Project’s commitment to nurturing responsible, engaged, and community-minded young people while promoting environmental conservation.

In Kericho County, beneficiaries participated in the Mr. and Miss SESD competition, where contestants were assessed on their eloquence, understanding of the SESD curriculum, workplace behaviour and teamwork.

Among those who stood out was Delvin Chepkoech, winner of the Miss SESD competition. Having joined the programme as an extremely shy participant, Delvin said the training had significantly improved her confidence and equipped her with skills that would support both employment and entrepreneurship.

She expressed appreciation for the opportunity, noting that the training had provided her with practical skills to pursue employment while also giving her the confidence to start and manage a business.

The final OJE graduation ceremony held at the Karisa Maitha Showground in Kilifi County reaffirmed the Project’s commitment to equipping young people with the skills, experience and opportunities required to participate meaningfully in the labour market.

More than 2,600 beneficiaries, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), from wards across Kilifi County completed the SESD training and are now preparing to transition to hands-on workplace experience with experienced Master Craftsmen and Employers.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, beneficiaries reflected on the transformation they had experienced during the training. Some noted that before joining the programme, they lacked confidence in holding meaningful conversations, preparing Curriculum Vitae (CVs) and communicating effectively with potential employers and customers.

Through the SESD training, they said they had gained greater confidence, improved communication skills and learned how to regulate their emotions when interacting with employers, customers and other stakeholders.

“Tulianza na soft skills, tukajifunza kucontrol emotions zetu na pia tukafunzwa business plan. Saa hii pia tunajua kuandika CV na communication skills tumefunzwa tutatumia kuongea na waajiri,” Neema Sammy recounted. (“We started with soft skills, where we were taught emotional regulation and how to develop a business plan. We were also taught CV writing and communication skills, which we will use when interacting with employers.”)

Another beneficiary, Victor Kalu, acknowledged the role of the Project in creating opportunities for young people in the region, including those who had previously struggled with substance abuse and involvement in crime.

Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports, Salim Mvurya, commended the beneficiaries for their commitment, hard work and resilience. He urged them to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the training to create positive change in their communities and beyond.

The Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Mr. Fikirini Jacobs, also lauded the beneficiaries for taking up the opportunities provided through the programme, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to advancing the youth agenda.

“Nafasi hii imepatikana leo ya training msichukulie na mzaha. Hii training mmepata itawasaidia sana. Vijana wameniambia hii training imewapea confidence ya kujieleza, wengine wamesema wanaweza tengeneza business plan na mengine mengi…” Mr. Jacobs said.

National Project Manager Mr. Augustine Mayabi commended the Project’s inclusive approach across all 47 counties, noting that no region would be left behind.

He emphasized that the SESD graduation represents only the first step in the beneficiaries’ OJE journey, urging them to maintain resilience, discipline and hard work as they transition to the next phase of workplace learning with experienced Master Craftsmen and Employers.

He further reaffirmed the Project’s commitment to ensuring that the opportunities provided under OJE translate into meaningful outcomes for young people.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, together with other leaders from the region, also attended the ceremony and pledged support to the beneficiaries, describing the initiative as an important contribution to the region’s economic development.

OJE beneficiaries in Lots 1 and 2 are currently undertaking five-month apprenticeships under experienced Master Craftsmen and Employers.

Upon completion of the apprenticeship, participants will undergo competency-based assessments administered by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) and receive nationally recognized certification to enhance their employability.

The transition of beneficiaries across the eight OJE lots is as follows:

The NYOTA Project continues to make progress across its other components.

Earlier in July, the Business Support Component successfully distributed the second tranche of business grants to youth entrepreneurs across the country.

The nationwide exercise brought together beneficiaries from all 47 counties at 18 regional venues, where 122,136 youth received a total of KES 3,054,850,000 in business grants to expand existing enterprises or establish new businesses. Mentorship has also been completed, with information on subsequent stages to be communicated through official channels.

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component has completed assessments, and beneficiaries can now access their examination results through the NITA portal. The graduation ceremony will be held at a later date, with details to be communicated through official channels.

Meanwhile, the skills selection window for Lots 3, 4 and 8 OJE beneficiaries is open from 22 to 29 September 2026.

Eligible beneficiaries have received official SMS notifications on the phone numbers they used to apply to the Project, containing instructions on how to complete the skills selection process.

Beneficiaries are reminded that all NYOTA Project services are free of charge and can be accessed through the official USSD code *254#.

Young people are encouraged to rely only on official NYOTA communication channels and to remain vigilant against individuals or platforms seeking payment or personal information in exchange for NYOTA services.