How Kenyan Youth Can Qualify for Ruto’s KSh6,000 Monthly NYOTA Stipend

The government has rolled out a new youth-focused opportunity under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme, offering young Kenyans a monthly stipend of KSh6,000 while they gain hands-on work experience.

The programme, launched under President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, targets youths who are unemployed or struggling to find stable work.

Those selected are attached to master craftsmen, artisans, or employers for practical training lasting between three and six months.

Unlike many government programmes, this one does not require university degrees, diplomas, or certificates. The focus is on skills, not papers.

According to the government, the scheme is meant for young people who dropped out of primary or secondary school, as well as those who completed Form Four but never managed to transition into college or acquire employable skills.

Participants receive KSh6,000 every month, which is deposited directly into their Haba Haba savings accounts. The idea is to help beneficiaries meet basic needs while also encouraging a culture of saving as they learn real-world skills.

The stipend comes on top of the NYOTA business support programme, where some youths have already benefited from KSh22,000, with part of the amount saved on their behalf.

Speaking while addressing residents in Laikipia, President Ruto emphasized that the initiative is not about handouts but about empowering young people to build sustainable livelihoods through skills and discipline.

To qualify, applicants must be Kenyan citizens aged between 18 and 29 years. For persons living with disabilities, the age limit extends to 35. Applicants must also be unemployed or underemployed at the time of application.

Applications are done digitally through the official NYOTA platform or by dialing *254# and selecting the NYOTA option, where applicants submit basic personal details for assessment.