Oparanya Inspects NYOTA Training in Kirinyaga, Lauds Youth Enterprise Growth

Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development Wycliffe Oparanya has praised the progress of youth-led businesses under the government’s NYOTA programme following an inspection visit in Mwea.

Oparanya, accompanied by Micro and Small Enterprises Authority Board Director John Kihonge and Director General Henry Rithaa, toured ongoing Business Development Services (BDS) training sessions in Mwea Constituency, Kirinyaga County.

The visit aimed to assess implementation progress and engage directly with beneficiaries of the NYOTA Project, a flagship initiative targeting youth entrepreneurship through training, mentorship, and financial support.

Speaking during the visit, Oparanya noted encouraging outcomes from the programme, revealing that many beneficiaries have already launched businesses after receiving the first tranche of funding and mentorship.

“The progress we are seeing here is a clear indication that structured business support works. Many young people have moved from ideas to actual enterprises,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of continued participation in the training, particularly in building critical skills such as financial management, as beneficiaries prepare for the next phase of funding.

“Full participation in this training is not optional. It is a requirement for accessing the second tranche of capital and continued support under the programme,” Oparanya told participants.

The CS underscored that equipping young entrepreneurs with practical business skills is key to ensuring sustainability and long-term success.

MSEA Director General Henry Rithaa urged beneficiaries to make prudent use of the funds already disbursed, advising them to invest strategically in ventures that can generate consistent returns and employment opportunities.

“We want to see these businesses grow beyond survival level into sustainable enterprises that can create jobs and uplift communities,” Rithaa said.

The NYOTA programme, implemented by MSEA, integrates skills development, access to business capital, and mentorship to strengthen youth enterprises across the country. The initiative is part of broader government efforts to tackle youth unemployment by empowering small businesses as engines of economic growth.

Beneficiaries who attended the session expressed optimism about the programme, citing improved knowledge, access to funding, and mentorship as key drivers of their progress.

The visit reaffirmed the government’s commitment to scaling up enterprise support initiatives, with officials indicating that similar monitoring exercises will continue across counties to ensure effective delivery and impact.