The government has postponed the verification of the NYOTA applications that were scheduled to take place on Friday, October 17, 2025, across all 290 constituencies.
The decision comes in the wake of the sudden passing of Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died on Wednesday, October 15.
In a statement released by Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni, the State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development confirmed that the postponement is in respect of the Presidential Proclamation on national mourning, which will remain in effect until sunset on the day of Raila Odinga’s interment.
"The State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development wishes to inform the public, all Principal Secretaries, elected leaders, all applicants of the NYOTA project and other stakeholders that the national verification exercise scheduled for Friday, October 17, across the 290 Constituencies, has been postponed," a statement from the PS read.
The verification exercise was expected to involve Principal Secretaries, elected leaders, and National Government Administration Officers as part of the government’s Whole-of-Government Approach to ensure a broad and transparent process.
In light of the latest developments, the ministry is expected to announce new dates for verification, possibly after Raila is laid to rest.
NYOTA, a five-year initiative funded by the World Bank, is designed to empower young people by tackling unemployment, income insecurity, and low savings.
The programme aims to provide Ksh50,000 in grants for 70 young people selected from each of the 1,450 wards in Kenya, enabling them to launch business ventures.
The postponement of the verification exercise follows several State declarations issued by President William Ruto after Raila's death, including a seven-day mourning period.
"In honour of the life and times of the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and on behalf of the grateful nation, I, William Ruto, under the authority vested in me as the President of the Republic of Kenya, declare that the nation will observe a period of national mourning from today until sunset of the day of his interment," the President said in a statement.
Ruto also announced that all public engagements would be suspended to allow the nation to reflect on Odinga’s life and legacy.
The President also relayed that a special delegation, consisting of top government officials led by the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, would immediately head to India to facilitate the repatriation.
Raila's widow, Mama Ida, Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Hassan Joho, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, and family members Jaoko Oburu Odinga and Kevin Opiyo Oginga will also be part of the delegation.
Oburu Odinga Not at Karen Hospital, Dr Gikonyo Says News Just In
