NYOTA Youth Fund Registration Turns Chaotic as Officials Seen Beating Youths in Viral Video
Tensions flared during the ongoing registration of the NYOTA Youth Fund after shocking footage emerged showing officials allegedly beating young applicants with rungus (wooden clubs).
The viral camera footage captured a chaotic scene as crowds of hopeful youths scrambled to register for the much-anticipated empowerment program.
What the Footage Shows
The video, recorded by witnesses on mobile phones, shows a large crowd of young people gathered outside a local registration centre.
Dozens can be seen pushing and shoving as officials attempt to control the situation. In the clip, several officers armed with rungus appear to strike at the crowd, prompting screams and panic among the applicants.
Some youths are seen running for safety while others plead for calm. The footage also captures the sound of confusion and anger, with voices shouting at the officials to stop using force.
The scene quickly spread on social media, drawing criticism from Kenyans who condemned the violent response to what was supposed to be a peaceful registration exercise. Many questioned why government representatives charged with helping the youth resorted to such harsh tactics.
About the NYOTA Youth Fund
The National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project is a five-year initiative launched by the Government of Kenya with support from the World Bank.
It aims to tackle youth unemployment by providing financial support, entrepreneurship training, and savings programs for young people across all 47 counties.
The fund targets unemployed or underemployed youth aged between 18 and 29 years, and up to 35 years for persons with disabilities. Applicants must have a Form 4 level of education or below and are not required to pay any registration fees. The government emphasized that the entire process is free and open to all eligible youth through both online and USSD applications.
Key components of the NYOTA Project include:
- Job Skills Training – Offering technical and vocational training to help youth gain employable skills.
- Entrepreneurship Support – Providing capital, mentorship, and business development training for small startups.
- Youth Savings Programs – Encouraging participants to join savings schemes through the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) “Haba Haba” plan, with the government matching contributions.
- Institutional Support – Strengthening youth-related agencies and linking young people to public procurement opportunities.
Rising Concerns Over Implementation
Despite its noble goals, the registration phase of the NYOTA Fund has faced serious challenges. Reports from various counties indicate poor crowd management, lack of coordination, and in some cases, use of excessive force.
Many youths have complained that long queues, limited registration centres, and misinformation caused tempers to flare, leading to chaos.
The viral footage has raised questions about the conduct of officials and the safety of applicants. Civil rights groups have called for an immediate investigation into the incident, saying that using violence on unemployed youths seeking government assistance is unacceptable.
They also urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs to improve organization and ensure fairness in the registration process.
Public Reaction
Kenyans online have expressed outrage after seeing the footage. Some questioned whether the funds were being distributed transparently, while others argued that the government should increase registration points to reduce congestion. “It’s sad to see young people who are only seeking help being treated like criminals,” one user commented.
Meanwhile, youth leaders have urged the government to release an official statement and take disciplinary action against the officers involved. They warned that such incidents could discourage thousands of young Kenyans from participating in future empowerment programs.
A Call for Transparency and Reform
The NYOTA Youth Fund represents one of Kenya’s most ambitious attempts to empower the younger generation. However, experts warn that without transparency, accountability, and better planning, such efforts risk losing public trust.
Officials are being urged to:
- Investigate the incident captured in the video and identify those responsible for misconduct.
- Introduce clear crowd-control guidelines to avoid violent confrontations.
- Establish a feedback and complaint system for applicants who face harassment or unfair treatment.
- Increase awareness about the free registration process to prevent exploitation by middlemen.
Conclusion
The chaotic scenes during the NYOTA Youth Fund registration serve as a reminder that good initiatives require good management.
While the program itself holds promise for Kenya’s unemployed youth, the disturbing footage of officials beating applicants has sparked a national debate on the handling of public empowerment projects.
Restoring order, transparency, and dignity in the process will be essential if NYOTA is to truly live up to its name — lighting the way for Kenya’s youth.
Someone was recorded caning people during verification of NYOTA program pic.twitter.com/6VLgZ6GjG5
— Goddie (@Goddie_Ke) October 25, 2025
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